Eastern Macedonia & Thrace sets tourism record year with historic growth in 2025
The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) has announced that 2025 marked a record-breaking year for tourism, positioning the region as one of the fastest-growing travel destinations in Greece.
According to an official statement by the regional administration, tourism indicators including visitor arrivals, overnight stays, and revenue all recorded double-digit growth, with total tourism income reaching €528 million.
The figures confirm a significant upward trend in the region’s tourism sector, driven by increased international interest and expanding travel activity across Northern Greece.
Strong Growth Across All Key Indicators
In 2025, the region welcomed approximately 2.2 million visitors, representing a 49.4% increase compared to the previous year. Overnight stays rose to 7.5 million, marking a 31.1% increase, while tourism revenue grew by 36.9%.
Officials noted that tourism income has increased by 62% over the past two years alone, reflecting sustained momentum in the sector.
Key Contributor to National Tourism Growth
The region played a disproportionately large role in Greece’s overall tourism expansion. According to the statement, roughly one-third of all new tourist arrivals in Greece in 2025 were recorded in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Even more strikingly, the region accounted for 85% of the national increase in overnight stays, underscoring its growing importance in the country’s tourism map.
Rising Position in National Rankings
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has now climbed to 6th place nationwide in key tourism indicators, including arrivals, overnight stays, and revenue.
The region also ranked first among “emerging tourism destinations” in Greece, signaling its transition toward becoming a mainstream tourism hub.
Increased Spending Per Night
Average spending per overnight stay increased from €56 in 2023 to €70 in 2025, outperforming the national average and indicating improved tourism revenue quality.
However, average spending per visitor showed a slight decline, attributed to a rise in day-trip tourism and a reduction in average stay duration from 4 nights to 3.5 nights.
Regional Leadership Highlights Strategic Vision
Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis described the results as evidence of a structural transformation in the region’s tourism profile.
“Our region is steadily moving toward becoming one of Greece’s key tourism destinations,” he said.
Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Panagiotis Archontis emphasized the goal of turning the region into a year-round tourism destination.
Focus on Sustainable Year-Round Tourism
Authorities stated that future priorities include extending the tourist season throughout the year, improving visitor experience, and ensuring more balanced distribution of tourism income across the region.
The strategy aims to strengthen sustainability while further enhancing Eastern Macedonia and Thrace’s competitiveness in the Mediterranean tourism market.
