5/30/2025

Tourism prospects in Northern Greece — and particularly in Halkidiki — appear promising following the partial entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Zone. This development has already resulted in noticeable movement in the local hotel sector, with many couples, primarily from Romania, choosing Halkidiki for short weekend getaways.

Looking ahead to the summer season, Romanian tourists are expected to be among the leading visitor groups, especially from mid-June onwards, once schools close. Alongside them, travelers from Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and group tours from Kosovo are expected to contribute significantly to the influx of Balkan tourists. Hotel occupancy rates for July, traditionally the most popular month, are projected to exceed 80%.

Halkidiki also remains a top choice for German and British visitors, while interest from the Italian market is steadily growing this year as well.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event for the Startup Accelerator program, Mr. Grigoris Tasios, President of the Halkidiki Hotel Association, provided an overview of current booking trends. May occupancy rates are estimated between 55%–60%, while June is expected to reach 70%–75%, with further improvement likely. July is forecasted to surpass 80% occupancy.

Mr. Tasios also highlighted the Greek government’s commitment to modernizing the Kipoi and Evzoni border crossings by 2026. Addressing the labor shortage in the hospitality sector, he noted that between 1,500–2,000 positions remain unfilled, though workers from India and the Philippines have already begun arriving to help fill the gap.

Source: https://www.voria.gr/article/halkidiki-i-sengken-fernei-perissoteroys-toyristes-apo-ta-balkania?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5GN4Aq_iJ30MWHBPnVquO4vQk-dE1R2b9B1PpYXWQf1Ra4WLBVWhGS69Xk8w_aem_3k5psAamUI_K4SESKaTzWg