Greece Among The Top 8 EU Destinations For Short-Term Rentals In Summer 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 15, 2025

Greece has secured its spot as one of the eight most popular destinations for short-term rentals in the European Union, reflecting the increasing trend of platform-based tourism, according to Eurostat.

The country’s solid performance in the summer of 2024 aligns with a broader rise in short-term rental bookings across Europe. Eurostat’s latest data reveals an 18% year-on-year increase in bookings through platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia. Greece saw a 14.3% rise in overnight stays compared to 2023, contributing significantly to this growth.

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A Surge Across Europe

During the third quarter of 2024, short-term rental bookings across the EU reached 366.2 million overnight stays, with Greece accounting for 26.1 million of these, marking a 14.3% increase over the previous year.

The highest growth rates were seen in Malta (+40.9%), Germany (+26%), and Sweden (+24.6%). France, Spain, and Italy also experienced significant increases in bookings, with year-on-year growth rates of 23.8%, 20.2%, and 15.5%, respectively.

Strong Performance In The Summer Months

Across the EU, the third quarter of 2024 recorded robust growth in short-term rental bookings, with all three summer months showing impressive results:

July 2024: 135 million overnight stays, up 16.4% from the previous year.
August 2024: 152.2 million overnight stays, a 21.6% increase.
September 2024: 79 million overnight stays, rising 14% compared to 2023.

Malta led the EU in August with a 41.4% increase in overnight stays, followed by Germany (+32.7%) and France (+29.9%). Smaller increases were recorded in countries like Croatia (+9.7%), Bulgaria (+12.2%), and Slovenia (+13.6%).

In Greece, August saw a 16% rise in overnight stays, further cementing its status as a top summer destination in Europe.

Greece’s Continued Popularity In Short-Term Rentals

Greece’s growth in short-term rentals is part of a larger upward trend seen across the EU. The country is now firmly positioned as one of the eight most sought-after destinations for short-term rentals, joining:

France
Spain
Italy
Greece
Croatia
Germany
Portugal
Poland

The Rise Of Platform-Based Tourism

The Eurostat report underscores a broader trend of growing reliance on platform-based tourism, with all eight top destinations surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Greece’s inclusion among these countries highlights its enduring appeal to travellers seeking short-term rentals.

This sustained growth not only underscores Greece’s importance in the European tourism market but also reflects the country’s ability to adapt to evolving travel preferences.

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Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

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Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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