Greece in last-minute scramble as it prepares for huge 28.2m tourist influx

Greece is facing one giant problem this summer(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Greece is struggling to keep up with its insatiable demand ahead of what is predicted to be a record-breaking summer.

Last year, the country and its collection of postcard-worthy islands witnessed a staggering 40.7 million international visitors - a sharp 12.8 per cent increase compared to 2023. The influx is believed to generate €21.6 billion in tourism revenue (around £18.12 billion), highlighting the dependency the country's economy holds on the hospitality sector.

Despite escalating anti-tourist sentiment and measures to clamp down on overwhelming crowds - through initiatives like a higher tourist tax - Greece is now scrambling to prepare for an even busier summer. According to Tornos News, a whopping 28.2 million airline seats on international flights to the country are scheduled between March 30 and October 25.

Blue domed churches at sunset, Oia, Santorini

Hotspots like Santorini become insufferably busy during the scorching summer months(Image: Getty Images)

However, there is one thing the country seems to be missing. Tourist-reliant businesses say around 80,000 jobs need to be filled to keep up with growing visitor numbers - but many are finding it impossible to fill vacancies.

Nationwide shortages of hotel receptionists, cleaners, lifeguards, waiters, and chefs are panicking hoteliers and restaurant owners, who desperately need more staff to keep up with the summer boom. It has been reported that on popular islands such as Crete and Rhodes - hoteliers are poaching employees from rivals with promises of better pay and improved working conditions.

People at a coffee in Ikaria island. Sunny autumn day in Evdilos Village in Ikaria. Panoramic view of the traditional picturesque fishing village with the wooden boats in the harbor, one of the most popular holiday destination on the Greek island of Ikaria that is located in the Aegean Sea. The Mediterranean Icaria island is famous for the longevity, human connection and the alternative simplified lifestyle closer to nature. The settlement of Evdilos is at the North of the island and is built amphitheatrically around the natural bay. Evdilos was built after 1830, when the fear of the pirates stopped raiding. Nowadays about 500 inhabitants live in here while most of whom are engaged in fishing and tourism. The village consists of picturesque alleys and traditional mansions and neoclassical buildings with unique architecture. Streets are ornated by many flowers and well-cared gardens. Evdilos is considered a popular tourist resort. Accommodations like hotels, rooms to let, apartments, cafes, bars, mini markets, banks, car rental and excellent fish taverns and restaurants among other shops are available in Evdilos. There is no beach in Evdilos except a small spot of sand and pebbles near the port, used for sunbathing and swimming by locals and tourists but large sandy beaches and coves are nearby. Ikaria Island, Greece on November 2022 (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Brits may face long waits in restaurants if Greece doesn't hire enough staff this summer(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The government is reportedly seeking to legalise the status of around 30,000 unregistered migrants so they can fill gaps in employment. Asylum seekers will also be offered jobs in northern Greece later this month, where they will receive training from hotel giants.

In an interview with the Guardian, Giorgos Hotzoglou, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in Food Service and Tourism (POEET) said the problem stems all the way back from the Covid-19 pandemic. And while all European countries are experiencing similar issues - it is 'particularly acute' in Greece.

Tourists queue as they wait to get the cable car from the old port of Fira to the village of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini on July 20, 2024. Like other popular tourist destinations, the Cycladic island perched on a volcano is approaching over-saturation, and now wants to restrict the number of cruise ships. (Photo by Aris Oikonomou / AFP) (Photo by ARIS OIKONOMOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Around 800,000 new jobs need to be filled to keep up with growing tourist demand(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"What we're seeing is an unprecedented lack of qualified and experienced workers, especially in the hotel and food industry, following the exodus of employees during the lockdown," he added. "Many never returned [and] as a result - an estimated 80,000 jobs are now needed."

If you're deterred by the summer surge in Greece, it might be worth visiting in the off-peak season. You can fly directly to a slew of Greek destinations - including Athens and Thessaloniki, from most major UK airports. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £48 in December.

Accommodation is likely to be more affordable during the winter months too. For example, a week's stay (Monday, December 1 -8) at the The Residence Aiolou Hotel & Spa in Athens will only set you back £520. This is based on two adults sharing an Economy Room. In August (Monday 4-11) the same hotel costs almost double, currently priced at £966.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

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