Published on
December 30, 2025
The tourism sector in Greece has encountered numerous setbacks during the peak holiday season because of agricultural blockades; this is particularly evident in the Macedonia, Thrace, and Central Greece regions of Greece. The blockades are a result of protests related to agricultural matters. Despite this, it is evident that hotel owners are hopeful about offsetting any possible setbacks through last-minute bookings, particularly during the New Year celebrations.
The Impact of Agricultural Blockades on Greek Tourism
Over the Christmas period, many travelers to Greece faced disruptions caused by protests and road blockages, leading to a substantial number of cancellations. Local authorities estimate that the tourism industry experienced a loss of 15%-20% in bookings, with more significant losses in areas affected by the blockades. This has created a difficult situation for destinations that rely heavily on the holiday season to boost their annual revenue.
Macedonia, Thrace, and Central Greece, traditionally popular destinations for holiday tourists, have been hit hardest by these disruptions. In these areas, tourism is a vital economic contributor, with the festive season accounting for a large portion of the year’s revenue. Unfortunately, these regions also suffer from limited infrastructure and fewer alternative routes, which made access particularly challenging during the blockades.
Major Losses in Northern Greece and the Cancellation of Group Tours
The blockades have particularly affected destinations in Northern Greece, including areas like Magnesia and Pelion, which are typically popular during the winter holidays due to their mountain resorts and scenic beauty. George Zafiris, President of the Magnesia Hotel Owners Association, reported that bookings for December, especially group tours, school trips, and conferences, were severely impacted by the disruptions. In some cases, cancellations reached up to 50% before the Christmas holiday even began.
These losses are especially troubling because the holiday period, including Christmas and New Year’s, is crucial for the region’s annual tourism revenue. Without these high-traffic periods, many hotels, local businesses, and attractions in these regions face significant financial strain.
Positive Outcomes in Some Regions: Last-Minute Bookings Provide Hope
While Northern Greece has suffered from the blockades, other regions of the country, particularly in the Peloponnese and Epirus, have experienced more favorable outcomes. Hoteliers in these areas have reported satisfactory occupancy rates, largely due to a surge in last-minute bookings as travelers sought refuge from the uncertainty caused by the blockades. In Pelion, for example, occupancy rates reached 90% over the Christmas weekend, surpassing expectations.
This shift in bookings underscores the growing trend of last-minute travel, which is becoming more common in Greece as tourists look for more flexible and accessible options, especially when faced with unforeseen disruptions like road blockages.
Recovery Efforts: Optimism for New Year’s Bookings
With the New Year’s holiday approaching, hoteliers are hoping for a recovery in bookings, despite the lingering impact of the blockades. While some regions are still seeing a slowdown, especially in destinations like Eurytania, where occupancy rates dropped to 60%-65%, others are more optimistic about filling vacancies with last-minute travelers. Many hotels in the Peloponnese and Epirus are also preparing for potential bookings as travelers, particularly locals, seek quick getaways to celebrate the New Year.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding road access and the potential for further disruptions continues to affect traveler confidence. However, hoteliers are working diligently to ensure that they can accommodate as many guests as possible, focusing on flexibility in booking and offering attractive deals to entice last-minute travelers.
The Broader Picture: The Future of Tourism in Greece
The impact of agricultural protests and blockades on Greek tourism highlights several ongoing challenges for the industry. While Greece remains a major destination for tourists, issues like infrastructure limitations, political unrest, and reliance on peak seasons for revenue can pose risks to the long-term sustainability of the sector. In particular, rural and less-developed areas, which rely on seasonal tourism, are more vulnerable to such disruptions.
However, this year’s difficulties may also present an opportunity for Greece to rethink its tourism strategy. As part of the broader effort to revitalize tourism across the country, there is potential for greater investment in infrastructure improvements, diversification of tourism offerings, and a more robust approach to handling unforeseen disruptions.
The Greek government, local tourism bodies, and businesses must work together to ensure that the lessons learned from this year’s challenges lead to more resilient and sustainable practices in the future. Emphasizing the development of infrastructure, improving transportation networks, and promoting a year-round tourism model could help mitigate the effects of any future disruptions.
Overcoming Setbacks for Long-Term Growth
Though the agricultural blockades have led to direct losses in bookings and economic activity in specific areas of Greece, the tourism industry within the country remains strong. The emergence of last-minute bookings and the popularity of Greece’s diverse areas, including cities and mountain resorts, look promising.
