Arrivals of tourists from abroad increased by 4.6% in the January-March 2013 period, compared with the same period last year, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said, citing a border statistical survey conducted by the Bank of Greece that found the biggest increase in arrivals to be from Asia. Total arrivals of non-residents in the first quarter of 2013 reached 1,023,354 as local media report.

Arrivals from Europe, which account for the majority of arrivals of non-residents to Greece (78.9%), registered a decrease of 2.6% in the first quarter of the year, with those from European Union member states dipping by 3.3%.

Arrivals from Bulgaria, Spain, Russia and Germany increased significantly in absolute values, though a significant decrease of arrivals, in absolute values, was observed from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Netherlands and Belgium.

The largest number of arrivals from Europe came from Bulgaria (14.6%), Albania (12.5%), Germany (8.1%), Cyprus (5.9%), the United Kingdom (4.5%) and Italy (4.2%).

Αccording to ELSTAT, on a worldwide level the biggest increase in arrivals came from Asia (10.2% up from 2012), with a large contribution from Turkey (81.9% up from 2012).

Source: capitla.gr