Tourism in Greece
Greece attracts more than 18.5 million people a year! The reason of the attraction is the rich history and coast line and beaches. In 2005, 6, 088, 287 tourists visited Athens!
Tourism started in ancient Greece when cultural exchange took place. The cultural exchange took place between Magna Gracea and the young Roman Republic before Rome's dominance. When Greece became part of the Roman empire, the cultural exchange that started between these two empires caused many Romans to come and visit the famous science centers of Greece since the Greeks got Roman citizenship.
Tourism in modern day Greece started in 1960's and 1970's when large-scale construction for hotels and facilities was going on. During that time, Greece saw a huge increase in international tourists. Some events like the 2004 Summer lympics and the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 helped greatly in the flow of tourists. Also large scale nationally-funded structures like the New Acropolis Museum helped greatly in boosting the country's tourism. In 2009, the country had over 19.3 million tourists an increase from 17.7 million in 2008. Most of the visitors are from the European Union 12.7 million, then from America 0.56 million, Asia 0.52 million, Oceania 0.1 million, Africa 0.06 million. In 2006 Greece had the most British tourists, numbering 2.61 million, making 15% of the tourists in that year. Also 2.3 million Germans, 1.8 million Albanians and 1.1 million Bulgarians visited Greece. In the last couple of years there has been a increase in tourists from Israel because of the unease between Israel and Turkey. The most visited region in Greece is Central Macedonia in the northern part of the country. This place is near popular attractions like Mount Olympus and Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. In 2009, Central Macedonia welcomed about 18% of the total number of tourists in Greece that year. Northern Greece is the most visited region with 6.5 million tourists and Central Greece coming in a close second with about 6.3 million tourists.
According to a survey China and Austria's favourite tourist destination was Greece so the former Minister or Tourism announced the opening of the Greek National Tourism Organization office in Shanghai and in Beijing. 17.7 billion U.S dollars in 2000 to 29.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2004. Jobs related directly or indirectly to tourism had 16.5% of total employment in a year.
Tourism started in ancient Greece when cultural exchange took place. The cultural exchange took place between Magna Gracea and the young Roman Republic before Rome's dominance. When Greece became part of the Roman empire, the cultural exchange that started between these two empires caused many Romans to come and visit the famous science centers of Greece since the Greeks got Roman citizenship.
Tourism in modern day Greece started in 1960's and 1970's when large-scale construction for hotels and facilities was going on. During that time, Greece saw a huge increase in international tourists. Some events like the 2004 Summer lympics and the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 helped greatly in the flow of tourists. Also large scale nationally-funded structures like the New Acropolis Museum helped greatly in boosting the country's tourism. In 2009, the country had over 19.3 million tourists an increase from 17.7 million in 2008. Most of the visitors are from the European Union 12.7 million, then from America 0.56 million, Asia 0.52 million, Oceania 0.1 million, Africa 0.06 million. In 2006 Greece had the most British tourists, numbering 2.61 million, making 15% of the tourists in that year. Also 2.3 million Germans, 1.8 million Albanians and 1.1 million Bulgarians visited Greece. In the last couple of years there has been a increase in tourists from Israel because of the unease between Israel and Turkey. The most visited region in Greece is Central Macedonia in the northern part of the country. This place is near popular attractions like Mount Olympus and Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. In 2009, Central Macedonia welcomed about 18% of the total number of tourists in Greece that year. Northern Greece is the most visited region with 6.5 million tourists and Central Greece coming in a close second with about 6.3 million tourists.
According to a survey China and Austria's favourite tourist destination was Greece so the former Minister or Tourism announced the opening of the Greek National Tourism Organization office in Shanghai and in Beijing. 17.7 billion U.S dollars in 2000 to 29.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2004. Jobs related directly or indirectly to tourism had 16.5% of total employment in a year.
Places to Visit
I will write about the top 10 places to visit in Greece according to:
Touropia:
10) Thessaloniki: This is the second largest city in Greece and the buzzing and lively festivals make it Greece's cultural capital.
9) Corfu: A popular yachting destination, this city is a standing site of all foreign powers that ruled Greece.
8) Rhodes: With beautiful beaches, this city has of historical significance.
7) Peloponnese: This city has classical Greek temples, Venetian fortresses, Byzantine churches and Mycenaean palaces.
6) Mykonos: With great nightlife and friendly atmosphere it is no wonder that this is one of the most visited islands in Greece!
5) Crete: One of the largest Greek islands it has archaeologist sites which bear traces of the many civilizations that inhabited the city.
4) Delphi: This city was once known as the center of the Earth by the ancient Greeks.
3) Meteora: The word "meteora" means suspended in the air and that is exactly what these cliffs, 1200 feet in the air!
2) Athens: Inhabited for 3,000 years this city is widely known as the cradle of the Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy.
1) Santorini: Santorini is the one of the most picturesque islands in the world and is a must go!
Touropia:
10) Thessaloniki: This is the second largest city in Greece and the buzzing and lively festivals make it Greece's cultural capital.
9) Corfu: A popular yachting destination, this city is a standing site of all foreign powers that ruled Greece.
8) Rhodes: With beautiful beaches, this city has of historical significance.
7) Peloponnese: This city has classical Greek temples, Venetian fortresses, Byzantine churches and Mycenaean palaces.
6) Mykonos: With great nightlife and friendly atmosphere it is no wonder that this is one of the most visited islands in Greece!
5) Crete: One of the largest Greek islands it has archaeologist sites which bear traces of the many civilizations that inhabited the city.
4) Delphi: This city was once known as the center of the Earth by the ancient Greeks.
3) Meteora: The word "meteora" means suspended in the air and that is exactly what these cliffs, 1200 feet in the air!
2) Athens: Inhabited for 3,000 years this city is widely known as the cradle of the Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy.
1) Santorini: Santorini is the one of the most picturesque islands in the world and is a must go!