Tourism Spending in Greece Fell Through April on Fewer Visitors

Spending by visitors to Greece fell 12.2 percent in the first four months of the year compared with a year ago as fewer tourists visited the country.

Tourism receipts in the first quarter declined to 719 million euros ($894 million) from 820 million euros in the first four months of 2011, according to an e-mailed statement from the Bank of Greece. Visitor arrivals to Greece decreased 9.8 percent in the January through April period, the central bank said in the statement.

Tourism accounts for about 16 percent of Greece’s gross domestic product, according to the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council.

To contact the reporter on this story: Marcus Bensasson in Athens at [email protected]

Sourced: bloomberg