Over the past few years, some of the biggest stories coming out of Europe post-2008 crash have been the slumping economies of Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Greece. Greece was especially notable, in that the government conducted some nefarious deals with Goldman Sachs to hide its debt so as to allow the country to enter the euro, for which there were financial and economic standards to attain.
Of late, however, Greece has shown prospects of recovery. Greece's finance minister Yannis Stournaras has stated that he foresees positive growth in the country after six years of recession and tumultuous debt and bailout negotiations. Prices in Greece for goods actually dropped 0.9%, allowing for more income to be spent on everyday goods and allow for increased liquidity within the economy.
Large in this economic growth spurt is the tourism industry, which accounts for one-sixth of the Greek economy. The tourism industry set a record last year for numbers of visitors, and this year it projects that it will break that record. How it does is no mystery: as the cradle of democracy, Greece has long bragged of a vivacious and abundant tourism industry, both in terms of sightseeing and relaxation.
Most tourists in Greece arrive, understandably, from within the EU itself. Germans take holidays to Greece most often, followed by Britons. With its ancient architecture and pristine shores on the Mediterranean, Greece will continue to be a hot tourist destination both for those wishing for edification in the ways and habits of ancient Greece and for those simply wishing to experience one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world.
It is estimated that, should Greece reach or surpass a target of 24 million visitors in 2014, that 9% will be added to its gross domestic product (GDP), further aiding its economic recovery. It is a tangible target, given that Greece maintains a warm climate near its shores throughout the year.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
