Greeks choose Athens, Thessaloniki and Tinos for travel in September

Completing the top 10 were Nafplio, Parga, Chania (Crete), Skala (Agistri island), Kalamata, Loutraki and Sivota.

Moreover, the INSETE study found that Athens and Mykonos were among the leading choices for three main source markets: the UK, Italy and Germany.

Meanwhile, Greece also ranked first in September overall in the hotel satisfaction index (GRI) with 86.9 percent, followed by Croatia and Cyprus. Holding the lead in terms of satisfaction were the Cyclades with a GRI of 90.4 percent and in the mainland, Epirus with 90.9 percent.

With regard to international arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) marked the largest increase up by 12.0 percent in September, or an additional 79 thousand passengers.

Overall traffic through the country’s major airports grew by 1.3 percent to 3.1 million international arrivals. Foreign arrivals by road were also up in September, stronger by 6.6 percent to 1.6 million.

According to the study, August marked a 16.1 percent rise in travel receipts to 4,182 million euros with eight-month revenues up by 13.6 percent to 13,242 million euros.

Hotel prices dropped in September at Greek destinations as well as in rival markets.

Perhaps, foreign friends should look at the destinations Greeks choose, as locals surely know something.