September 20, 2011
Despite all the gloom surrounding Greece and its battered economy, the sun has been shining on the country’s tourism industry, offering one of the few glimmers of hope for recovery.
Greeks have cut back on vacations, prompting a 20 percent drop in domestic tourism. But the number of foreign visitors to its sun-drenched islands and ancient monuments is set to reach a record of 16.5 million this year.
That is up 12 percent from 2010, according to the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises. Sorely needed revenue is expected to increase by the same rate, netting 11 billion euros ($15 billion).
In places like the Cretan port of Rethymno, the debt crisis seemed a distant concept at times. During a recent visit, restaurants were full all along the coastal promenade.
“Our foreign customers have always been our bread and butter,” Maria Stavroulaki, the owner of the Knossos tavern, said one late-summer night. “They saved us this year, too.”
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