The 2025 tourist season is evolving into one of the most dynamic of the last decade for Rose and the small islands of the southern Aegean surrounding it: Symi, Halki, Tilos and Kastelorizo.
With a combination of high arrivals, a record on the cruise, an impressive rise to maritime tourism and the return of critical markets such as the Israeli, the area confirms its position as a leading multidimensional destination in the eastern Mediterranean. The data presented by the Rhodian Tourism Promotion Organization (PROTEUR) reflect a landmark year.
In the first half of the year, Rhodes welcomed more than 1.28 million visitors, up 1.8% compared to 2024. The airport traffic exceeded 1 million passengers by May, while the port recorded 207,900 arrivals, up 18%.
In the cruise sector, this year is excellent: more than 450 cruise ship approaches – 30 to 35% increase over last year – and over 200,000 passengers only in the first half. For August, arrivals are expected to exceed 60 in just one month.
Dynamic summer for Rhodes
The July-August period reinforced the image, with a 12% increase in the available airlines to Rhodes and accommodation of accommodation that reached 80-90%, from 70% in June. At the same time, the arrivals of performers from the Turkish coasts, with Marmaris, Fetiye and Bodrum, increased.
Rise to marine tourism
Maritime tourism is spectacular rise: arrivals of Mega Yachts and chartered boats are filled with marinas and tourist ports within the limits of fullness. Expenditure per visitor in this area exceeds average multiples, creating a strong benefit for focusing, retail and luxury services.
The diamonds around Rhodes
Symi, with about 2,600 inhabitants, receives daily from 1,000 to 5,000 visitors in the summer and remains a top one -day excursion destination and luxury boats.
Halki, with only 313 inhabitants, welcomes over 150,000 visitors a year, offering authentic, quiet high quality vacations.
Tilos, with 550 inhabitants, attracts travelers looking for sustainable experiences and contact with nature.
Kastelorizo, the most remote island of Dodecanese with 584 inhabitants, is aware of increased traffic thanks to its intense cultural character.
In all these small destinations, the fullness this year is 95-100%.
Positive outlook with challenges
Forecasts for autumn remain positive. Despite the most cautious and “last -minute” planning of travelers, markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Northern Europe and Turkey and Israel maintain demand at high levels. Rhodes is expected to close the season with an increase of up to 3% compared to 2024.
This year, for the first time, the tourist season in Rhodes is expanding until November 20th. According to the president of the Rhodes Hoteliers Association, Yiannis Papavassiliou, this is due to the coordinated efforts of the industry and the agreements with airlines to expand flight, mainly from England. “This effort started three years ago and our goal is to achieve an airline connection to the island throughout the year,” he says.
However, despite the increase in arrivals, the average tourist expenditure and the duration of stay (it appears to) recede compared to last year. Visitors tend to stay for fewer days and spend more restraints due to the energy crisis and the economic downturn in Europe, the rise of prices in accommodation and services, as well as the increase in tourist fees, which are borne by the total cost of the holidays.
‘To capitalize on the dynamic’
As Prottour’s CEO Anastasios Constantaros points out: “This year proves that Rhodes and the surrounding islands have the durability and dynamics to lead the world tourist map. The strong presence on a cruise, yachts and new markets, the return of the Israeli market and the strengthening of Turkish, create a healthy and multidimensional basis for the development of the destination. Intense tourist pressure creates a need for sustainable management and support infrastructure. Our goal is to capitalize on this momentum and invest in practices that will ensure the quality and competitiveness of Rhodian tourism for years to come. “