Just before the end of 2011, arrivals of tourists are expected to reach 16.5 million and tourism revenues go up more than 10% over last year, equivalent to a 1% increase in GDP.

For the next years the role of tourism is expected to be a catalyst for leaving the country from crisis. According to a recent study by the McKinsey Company on behalf of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and the Union of Greek Banks, 220,000 new jobs can be created by the increase in incoming tourists in the most dynamic sector of the Greek economy.

By 2021 the contribution of tourism to the GDP of Greece is estimated to exceed 1 / 5 which means that the direct gross value added of tourism (direct and indirect contribution) can increase by 18 billion and reach 50 billion euro. Again, according to the study data, these numbers represent 44% of the number of new jobs over the next decade, but 36% of the estimated total development of the country.

In 2010, directly and indirectly employment in the tourism industry in Greece was 746,000, according to the WTCC (World Travel & Tourism Council) which is equivalent to 17.9% of total employment in the domestic economy, while during the last decade tourism contribute consistently above 16% of the GDP and covers 1 / 3 of the trade deficit.

The Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises stresses that Greece can serve 20 million arrivals by 2014, ie 20% more than the year’s record high of 16.5 million arrivals, with what this means for increasing employment.

Posted by the Easytraveller Team