Published on
November 7, 2025
In a surprising turn, Italy joins forces with Spain, Croatia, and Portugal, all facing significant setbacks in their tourism sectors. While these countries struggle with challenges like extreme weather and disruptions, Greece continues to rise above adversity. Despite wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters, Greece has managed to maintain its leadership in European tourism satisfaction, reaffirming its position as a top destination for travelers. Here’s everything you need to know about how Greece has not only weathered the storms but also outshone its competitors in 2025.
Strong Visitor Satisfaction Despite Weather Challenges:
Greece’s tourism satisfaction remains robust, with the country achieving an impressive score of 9.1, surpassing the European average of 8.7 and outshining its main competitors, including Croatia (9.0), Portugal (8.8), and Spain (8.7). This reflects the country’s ability to maintain top-tier experiences, even when faced with disruptions caused by environmental factors. However, the third quarter of 2025 did see a noticeable dip in Greece’s reputation due to the severe weather events that affected many popular tourist areas.
The Net Sentiment Index (NSI), which measures public perception based on online reviews, dropped significantly to 15 for Greece overall and 16 for Athens during this period. Wildfires, earthquakes, and flooding in destinations like Kefalonia and Zakynthos caused widespread disruption, negatively influencing public sentiment. Nevertheless, Greece bounced back quickly in September, with the NSI rising to 34. Although it was still lower than Croatia’s NSI of 62, Greece’s swift recovery highlights its resilience in the face of adversity.
Cultural and Hospitality Strengths Continue to Shine:
Despite the setbacks caused by extreme weather, Greece’s rich cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality remain fundamental drivers of its strong tourism performance. The country received a remarkable NSI of 86 for its cultural attractions, with popular sites like the Acropolis, Meteora, and Athens consistently being highlighted in positive online reviews. These world-renowned landmarks continue to captivate visitors, emphasizing Greece’s strength as a destination with a deep historical and cultural legacy.
In addition to iconic landmarks, Greece offers a variety of hands-on cultural experiences that resonate with tourists. Activities like olive harvesting in Crete, wine tasting in Santorini, and hiking through the rugged landscapes of Meteora have enriched the visitor experience, encouraging a deeper connection to Greece’s traditions and natural environment. These experiences bolster Greece’s image as an authentic and immersive destination, appealing to travelers seeking more than just surface-level tourism.
Greece’s hospitality also remains a cornerstone of its tourism success, with the country earning an NSI of 85 for its warmth and service. Visitors consistently praise the friendly and welcoming nature of the Greek people, which contributes to an atmosphere of genuine hospitality that travelers cherish. This enduring reputation for excellent service ensures that Greece continues to provide memorable and meaningful travel experiences.
Environmental Concerns and Safety Issues Affect Public Perception:
While cultural and hospitality elements continue to thrive, environmental concerns have raised some challenges to Greece’s overall tourism image. Negative online mentions were largely centered around environmental issues, including wildfires, extreme heatwaves, and floods. For example, the Acropolis was temporarily closed during a heatwave, drawing criticism from visitors who had planned to experience the iconic site during their stay.
Safety issues also played a role in the country’s reputation decline. Tensions between Israeli tourists and local residents in certain areas were reported, which added to the concerns about the safety of tourists, particularly in some crowded or high-profile locations. Although these incidents were isolated, they contributed to a broader perception of safety challenges and increased the focus on environmental and public safety issues that Greece must address in the future.
Regional Disparities in Satisfaction and Emerging Growth Areas:
Tourism satisfaction across Greece varied from region to region, with certain areas outperforming others and showing considerable potential for growth. Western Macedonia (9.6), Western Greece (9.4), and Thessaly (9.4) received the highest satisfaction ratings, highlighting the potential of lesser-known and less-developed regions. These areas offer unique natural landscapes, cultural experiences, and authentic local atmospheres, making them ideal for travelers looking to explore beyond the traditional hotspots.
On the other hand, established tourist destinations like the Ionian Islands and the Cyclades experienced slight declines in satisfaction, particularly in areas related to sea experiences and value for money. These popular regions, often under significant seasonal pressure, may benefit from investments in sustainable tourism practices, better infrastructure, and service quality enhancements to alleviate overcrowding and improve the overall experience for visitors.
Regions like Crete, the Peloponnese, and Epirus saw high marks for gastronomy and cultural experiences, further showcasing Greece’s diverse tourism offerings. As the demand for off-the-beaten-path destinations increases, Greece’s lesser-known regions are becoming more attractive, offering travelers a more intimate and personal experience of Greek culture and nature.
Sustainability and Hygiene: Key Areas for Improvement:
Sustainability remains a major concern for Greece’s tourism industry. While some regions, including Western Macedonia and Western Greece, have made strides in promoting sustainable travel, others like Thessaly and Crete have lagged behind. Greece’s low environmental certification rate for hotels, compared to other European countries, points to a significant gap in eco-friendly tourism development. As the global travel market increasingly prioritizes sustainability, Greece must invest more in sustainable practices to ensure its competitiveness.
Hygiene standards also varied by region, with areas such as Western Greece, Central Macedonia, and the Ionian Islands receiving high praise for cleanliness. However, regions like Central Greece and the North Aegean showed lower scores, particularly during the peak tourist season. These discrepancies highlight the need for more consistent hygiene practices and improved service quality across all parts of the country, ensuring that visitors enjoy a consistently high standard of cleanliness and hospitality, regardless of where they visit.
Greece’s Continued Popularity Among International Travelers:
Despite facing challenges, Greece remains a popular destination for international travelers, especially those from major markets like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy. The United States, in particular, continues to contribute heavily to Greece’s tourism revenue, with a high satisfaction rating of 9.4. This ongoing popularity underscores Greece’s enduring appeal to travelers seeking a combination of historical sites, natural beauty, and warm hospitality.
Conclusion:
Greece has once again proven its resilience in the face of environmental challenges, continuing to offer visitors high levels of satisfaction through its rich cultural heritage, exceptional hospitality, and diverse regional offerings. However, to maintain its position as a top European travel destination, Greece must address pressing issues such as sustainability, environmental safety, and hygiene. By making strategic investments in infrastructure, promoting responsible tourism, and ensuring high standards of service across the country, Greece can continue to grow and remain a favorite destination for travelers worldwide.
