Tourism revenues up in Jan–Feb, exceeding 1 bln euros

Travel receipts jumped by 70.7% in the first two months of the year, while tourist arrivals rose by 38.5%, according to data released by the Bank of Greece.

Tourism revenues reached 1.007 billion euros in January–February 2026, underscoring the strong momentum of Greece’s tourism sector even in the peak winter period. February performance was particularly robust, with non-resident arrivals and related receipts increasing by 44.5% and 83.2% respectively.

According to the central bank, the surplus of the services balance posted a slight increase in February 2026, driven by an improvement in the travel balance, which was almost entirely offset by a decline in the transport balance surplus and a shift to a deficit in the balance of other services.

The primary income balance recorded a deficit that nearly doubled compared with the same month in 2025, largely reflecting a sharp decline in net receipts from other primary income. The secondary income balance deficit widened, mainly due to higher net payments by the general government.

In the January–February 2026, the surplus of the services balance increased, primarily due to the improvement in the travel balance, although this was largely offset by a deterioration in transport and other services balances.

The primary income account posted a deficit, compared with a small surplus in the same period of 2025, mainly due to lower net receipts from other primary income. The surplus of the secondary income balance narrowed over the same period, primarily reflecting lower net receipts in sectors of the economy outside the general government.