Despite overcrowding and fire risks, the French are not ready to abandon Greece

When we contacted her, it was already noon. GreeceFor Natalie, her husband and their 8-year-old son, it’s time for reading and naps. For a few days now, they have been staying on Sikinos, a small island in the southern Cyclades with fewer than 300 inhabitants. With an area of ​​just 41 square kilometres, the island is a privileged haven of peace for the family. “There is a monastery worth visiting (Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, editor’s note). You come here for the tradition and the calm, not for the party.”testifies the 41-year-old young woman. For her, this land is what Greece is all about: a destination where beautiful nature meets rich culture. It’s not the hot temperatures (June was the hottest month on record in the country, with temperatures exceeding 40°C), Serial fires (June 2024 is twice as high as the same period last year) Overtourism (37 million passengers expected in 2024; some sites have planned Regulate the number of visitors), which may make people question their love for the country.

Natalie, like many French travelers, is far from indifferent to these issues. Heat? “We are now at 30 degrees, but it feels more important. We avoid daytime hiking and have introduced a new phase. Between 12pm and 4pm, it’s time to relax and we don’t do anything special””, explains a consultant specializing in crisis management, including the climate crisis. This option was confirmed by the disappearance in June of two French women who went hiking and never returned. Fire? “That’s why we chose a small, well-preserved island.” And it’s overcrowded? “In the summer, Sikinos has almost three times as many residents.” These figures reveal another reality. In 2023, the country Received 32.7 million foreign touristssetting a new record, with an increase of nearly 18% in one year. The number of French tourists reached 1.83 million, accounting for 5.6% of the global tourism industry.

“It would be a mistake to view Greece as a homogeneous destination”

For the latter, the preferred destinations are: «Athens Crete, the Cyclades, Corfu in the Ionian Islands, Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese, and the Peloponnese.says the Greek National Tourism Office. The variety of places shows all the eclecticism of a region, young and old will find a holiday here that suits them. “It would be a mistake to see Greece as a homogenous destination, as there are different dynamics”Natalie continued.

For example, Claire, 47, plans to charter a catamaran for two weeks in August with her family and friends. There will be ten people in total (four adults and six teenagers). If the itinerary is not yet confirmed, the group will visit the Saronic Islands, the most famous of which are Poros and Hydra. “We spoke to an Athenian who told us that many Athenians prefer going to the islands rather than anywhere else. The Cyclades, invaded by tourists in summer »”, explains the Marketing Director. Everything has been thought of. “Choosing a boat would allow us to visit various islands and be self-sufficient if we needed to change plans at the last minute.” To please the teenagers, a short trip to Athens is also on the show.

« Since we were on a road trip, we could stop at deserted beaches. We planned to always be within five minutes of the ocean or a pool.”

Benedict, 53

Benedikt, 53, also chose to be homeless with her husband and three children. This year, they plan to go to the Peloponnese in August. She is not worried about fires, overtourism or local prices. “We don’t plan to go to tourist destinations. In fact, overtourism only concerns a few streets. Usually just walk away a little and it becomes calm again”exercise professional coach. Before adding: “In terms of prices, even if there has been an increase, prices are still more attractive than in France.” Don’t worry about the hot weather there, which should be a nice contrast to the humid weather in France. “Since we were on a self-driving road trip, we could stop at deserted beaches. We planned to always be within five minutes of the ocean or a pool.”

All those interviewed conveyed the same message: it’s hard to miss Greece because the country has so much to offer. “There is sunshine, but also a love of culture, language and mythology”Natalie explained. “This is a remarkable ancient culture with magnificent ruins. The children enjoyed discovering the Greek mythology they had learned at school. Benedict added. “We could swim easily, just the sea and very beautiful scenery.” Greece should be more attractive than ever this year. As the Greek National Tourism Office reminds us, in 2024, 200,000 more French tourists should arrive in Greece compared to last year.