Greek winter tourism is on the rise after Ohi Day success, as mountain resorts expect record occupancy and continued growth over the holidays

Posted on October 30, 2025

Greek winter tourism is seeing a big boost, largely driven by the success of Ohi Day celebrations. With the increase in bookings witnessed by mountain resorts, they are poised to achieve record occupancy rates and continued growth throughout the holiday season. This increase reflects the growing appeal of Greece’s winter offerings, as more visitors seek to experience its stunning mountains and unique cultural events during the colder months.

As the holiday season approaches, hoteliers in Greece’s mountainous and semi-mountainous regions are looking forward to the success of the Ohi Day long weekend on October 28. The holiday, which is celebrated annually, has given a major boost to winter accommodation, with occupancy rates rising to over 90% in many popular destinations. In areas like Nafpaktia, hotels reached a full occupancy of 100%, while Karpenisi recorded a strong occupancy rate of 92%, Dimitsana saw 90%, Kalavryta reached 86%, and Nafplio recorded an occupancy rate of 71%. As expected, locations close to major cities continued to have the highest demand, showing that tourists are increasingly choosing mountain retreats during the shoulder season.

The holiday provided an ideal opportunity for hoteliers to gauge the growing demand for winter accommodations. With such a successful weekend experience, many are now setting their sights on the upcoming peak holiday period – the Christmas and New Year season. From December 25 to 28 and January 1 to 6 (Epiphany), hoteliers are anticipating a further increase in bookings, with many anticipating a continuation of the strong performance seen over the October long weekend. Looking ahead, key dates such as Clean Monday on 23 February and Easter 2026 (which falls as early as 12 April) are also expected to help maintain the momentum of winter tourism in Greece, keeping hotels busy and ensuring the tourism sector remains vibrant during the traditionally quieter months.

Greece’s mountainous regions, long favored by winter tourists, have nearly 1,500 hotels. These hotels, which are primarily small, family-run establishments, typically offer up to 20 rooms and are rated three stars or higher. About 30% of these hotels are located in northern Greece and operate mainly during the winter months, from late October to April. While winter tourism remains an essential part of the region’s economy, the seasonal nature of the business means hoteliers face significant challenges in maintaining profitability. Many note that a hotel cannot survive if it relies on performing well for only 30 to 40 days every year. During the mid-season months, occupancy rates often drop below 30%, creating a great deal of uncertainty for business owners.

Given the challenges of relying only on a narrow seasonal window, industry stakeholders argue that winter tourism in Greece should be treated as a strategic pillar of the tourism industry, and not just a seasonal sideline. They stress the importance of diversifying offerings to ensure that these mountain destinations remain attractive throughout the year. The key to sustainable growth in the region lies in expanding the range of experiences available to tourists. Moving beyond the traditional appeal of ski resorts, destinations should promote other forms of winter tourism, such as adventure tourism, agri-tourism, cultural experiences, and wellness resorts. These alternative offerings can help attract a wide range of visitors, including international tourists, and contribute to the overall health of the tourism sector.

Moreover, the idea of ​​expanding Greece’s winter tourism offering through events and dedicated holiday periods is also gaining momentum. One such idea that has gained popularity is the revival of “White Week”, a school holiday on Clean Monday, reserved for winter excursions. This initiative is seen as a way not only to boost domestic tourism during the winter months but also to create a new tradition in the Greek tourism calendar. This concept is still in its early stages, but has the potential to become a major event in Greece’s winter tourism offering, with a focus on family-friendly winter activities and excursions in mountainous regions.

The government has recognized the importance of winter tourism and is committed to its continued growth. The Ministry of Tourism affirmed its support for mountain tourism, especially through legislative reforms and the allocation of funds through Recovery Fund projects. These efforts aim to create a more sustainable, year-round tourism industry in mountainous regions, and improve the infrastructure and services available to visitors. In addition to these structural initiatives, the government has been actively involved in promotional campaigns aimed at highlighting the attractiveness of Greece’s mountain destinations, ensuring their visibility for both domestic and international markets.

In recent years, the results of these efforts have already begun to show positive results. Winter tourism revenues in 2024 and 2025 witnessed a significant increase, reflecting the growing demand for alternative winter tourism experiences and the effectiveness of government promotional campaigns. As winter approaches, hoteliers are optimistic that this upward trend will continue, bringing economic benefits to local communities and ensuring the sustainability of the tourism industry in Greece’s mountainous regions.

Winter tourism in Greece is on the rise following the success of Ohi Day celebrations, with mountain resorts anticipating record occupancy and growth during the holiday season, driven by increased interest in winter experiences.

While the mountainous regions of Greece have long been known for their winter appeal, there is a clear need to develop and diversify the offerings available to tourists in order to ensure the continued success and sustainability of winter tourism. With an emphasis on year-round experiences such as adventure tourism, agri-tourism, and wellness, coupled with government support and new initiatives such as the potential revival of “White Week,” Greece’s mountain destinations have the opportunity to establish themselves as year-round tourism hubs. As winter approaches, hoteliers remain optimistic, and there is a shared sense of hope that 2026 will see continued growth in the sector.