Greece Steals the Travel Spotlight as British Families Crown It Their Favourite Holiday Destination in 2026 – Travel And Tour World

Greece has solidified its position as a premier European family destination, winning “Star Destination for Families” at the UK Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026. This prestigious recognition is supported by the continued growth of British tourist arrivals and their increased expenditure in the country. With its breathtaking islands, family-friendly resorts, strong flight links, and rich cultural tourism, Greece remains perfectly equipped to meet the evolving needs of UK travellers.

Greece Shines on the Global Tourism Stage with Prestigious UK Family Holiday Award 2026

Greece secured another important international tourism distinction after being named the Star Destination for Families at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026. The prestigious recognition reflects the country’s popularity among British holidaymakers and its established position within the United Kingdom’s outbound travel industry.

The award ceremony took place in central London on 27 October 2026, bringing together representatives from the travel and tourism sector. The occasion celebrated destinations, airlines, hotel groups and travel service providers that have earned recognition from travel professionals.

The award was accepted on behalf of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) by Angeliki Tzifa, Deputy Head of its UK and Ireland office.

The achievement highlights Greece’s continuing efforts to strengthen its presence in the British market.

British Travel Professionals Recognise Greece as a Leading Family Holiday Choice

One of the most significant aspects of the Travel Bulletin Star Awards is the involvement of travel industry professionals in selecting the winners.

Organised by the British travel trade publication Travel Bulletin, the awards have been held annually since 2000. They recognise outstanding performers across different segments of the international tourism industry.

According to the GNTO, more than 30,000 travel agents participate in the voting process each year, making the awards an important measure of recognition within the British travel trade.

Greece’s victory in the family destination category signals continued confidence among travel professionals who help British customers select overseas holidays.

For the Greek tourism industry, this recognition carries particular importance because travel agents influence holiday recommendations, destination awareness and package bookings.

Greece Builds on an Impressive History of Family Tourism Awards

The 2026 distinction represents another chapter in Greece’s longstanding relationship with the British family holiday market.

Greece previously received the Star Destination for Families recognition in 2016, 2018 and 2025, demonstrating its ability to maintain a strong reputation across several years.

These repeated achievements highlight the country’s consistent appeal rather than a temporary increase in popularity.

British families have access to different holiday experiences across mainland Greece and its numerous islands. Beach resorts, historic attractions, recreational activities and organised holidays provide choices for travellers with children of different ages.

Greece’s continued recognition also reflects the importance of maintaining reliable tourism services and a diverse accommodation sector in an increasingly competitive European holiday market.

Greek Islands Continue to Strengthen the Country’s International Tourism Profile

Greece’s success at the 2026 awards extended beyond the family travel category.

The internationally recognised island of Mykonos was nominated for the Star LGBTQ+ Friendly Destination award, demonstrating the breadth of the country’s appeal across different visitor segments.

Mykonos previously won the category in 2019, establishing its presence within this particular travel market.

Known for its coastal landscapes, hospitality establishments and international visitor appeal, the island remains one of Greece’s prominent tourism destinations.

Its latest nomination also highlights how individual Greek islands contribute to the country’s broader destination identity.

While Greece earned recognition for family holidays, Mykonos’s nomination illustrates its capacity to appeal to travellers with a wide range of holiday interests.

Grecotel Hotels and Resorts Wins Prestigious Luxury Hospitality Recognition

The Greek hospitality industry also enjoyed success during the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026.

Grecotel Hotels & Resorts received the Star Luxury Hotel Brand award, adding another distinction to Greece’s international tourism achievements.

The recognition highlights the important contribution of the accommodation sector to the country’s reputation among overseas holidaymakers.

Luxury hotel brands play a significant role in attracting travellers seeking premium facilities, personalised services and comfortable holiday experiences.

For British tourists, the availability of different accommodation categories allows Greece to serve a broad market, from traditional family package holidays to higher-end resort stays.

Together, the destination and hotel awards demonstrate the range of Greek tourism offerings recognised by the British travel industry.

British Tourist Arrivals to Greece Reach Nearly 4.9 Million in 2025

Greece’s latest award comes alongside encouraging tourism performance figures from the United Kingdom, one of its major international visitor markets.

According to final figures published by the Bank of Greece, arrivals from the UK reached 4.89 million in 2025, representing a 7.6 per cent increase compared with 2024.

This growth reinforces the importance of British travellers to Greece’s tourism economy.

The increase also demonstrates continuing interest in Greek destinations despite the wide selection of overseas holiday options available to UK residents.

For Greek tourism businesses, higher British arrival volumes support demand across accommodation, transport, attractions and other visitor services.

The figures provide measurable evidence of Greece’s strong position in the UK outbound tourism market.

British Holiday Spending Surges as Greece Generates €3.74 Billion in Tourism Receipts

Visitor numbers represent only part of the economic significance of the British tourism market.

According to the Bank of Greece, travel receipts from UK visitors reached €3.74 billion in 2025, increasing by 18.4 per cent compared with the previous year.

Notably, tourism receipts grew considerably faster than visitor arrivals.

This indicates that the overall economic contribution of British travellers increased at a stronger rate than the number of visits.

However, the figures alone do not establish whether the change resulted from longer stays, higher travel expenditure or other factors.

For Greece, the rise in tourism revenue underlines the importance of attracting international visitors while strengthening the economic benefits generated by tourism activity.

Greece Maintains Growth Momentum with 3.4 Million British Arrivals in 2026

The positive trend in British travel to Greece continued into 2026.

During the first eight months of 2026, the country recorded approximately 3.4 million arrivals from the United Kingdom, representing a 3.9 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period in 2025.

The figures suggest that demand from British travellers remained resilient during another important tourism season.

Although the pace of growth was lower than the full-year increase recorded in 2025, arrivals continued to move upwards.

This sustained demand provides an encouraging backdrop to Greece’s latest recognition as a leading family holiday destination.

It also reinforces the strategic importance of maintaining strong connections between Greek destinations and the UK travel market.

British Families Show Remarkable Appetite for Overseas Holidays

Family holidays remain an essential component of British outbound tourism, creating significant opportunities for destinations such as Greece.

According to the ABTA Holiday Habits 2025–2026 report, 76 per cent of families with children under five said they intended to take an overseas holiday during the following 12 months.

Among families with older children, the corresponding figure stood at 75 per cent.

These findings demonstrate substantial interest in international holidays across different family age groups.

While the percentages represent travel intentions rather than completed bookings, they highlight the importance of family tourism within the British market.

For Greece, this demand creates opportunities to promote organised holidays, beach destinations and experiences that accommodate different family preferences.

Direct Flights and Holiday Packages Give Greece a Competitive Advantage

Convenient travel arrangements are an important consideration for families organising holidays abroad.

According to the GNTO, Greece benefits from extensive air connections with the United Kingdom, helping British visitors access a wide selection of Greek destinations.

The availability of organised holiday packages also contributes to the country’s attractiveness.

Package holidays can simplify arrangements by combining important travel components, such as flights and accommodation, within a single booking.

For families travelling with younger children, straightforward planning and suitable accommodation are particularly valuable considerations.

Greece’s established tourism infrastructure and diverse resort options therefore support its competitive position.

These advantages help explain why the destination continues to receive recognition from professionals working within the British travel industry.

Beaches, Cultural Attractions and Family-Friendly Resorts Expand Holiday Choices

Greece’s appeal extends beyond traditional beach holidays.

The GNTO highlights the country’s ability to combine coastal relaxation, cultural exploration and other visitor experiences, providing families with greater flexibility when planning their holidays.

Families can choose holidays centred on beaches and resort facilities or incorporate visits to historical attractions and cultural landmarks.

This variety makes Greece relevant to travellers with different interests and children of different ages.

The availability of family-friendly accommodation further strengthens its appeal, allowing visitors to select properties that suit their preferred holiday arrangements.

By offering both leisure and educational experiences, Greece can attract families seeking more than a conventional seaside break.

Holidays Beyond Peak Summer Create Additional Opportunities for British Travellers

Another advantage identified by the GNTO is the availability of holidays outside the busiest summer travel period.

Greece’s tourism offering extends beyond the traditional peak season, providing additional choices for British visitors who can travel at different times of the year.

For families, travelling outside the busiest months may offer greater flexibility when selecting destinations and accommodation, although school attendance requirements can restrict travel dates.

The opportunity to explore Greece beyond peak summer also supports the country’s wider objective of attracting visitors across different periods.

This seasonal diversity is increasingly important as European destinations compete for international travellers and seek to distribute tourism activity more evenly throughout the year.

What Greece’s Latest Tourism Victory Means for British Holidaymakers

Greece’s achievement at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026 reinforces its reputation as an established destination for British family holidays.

The award reflects recognition from travel professionals rather than a guarantee that Greece will suit every family’s individual requirements.

Nevertheless, its extensive flight connections, varied accommodation options, established package holiday market and combination of beaches and cultural attractions provide British travellers with numerous possibilities.

Families considering Greece can assess destinations according to their budgets, children’s ages, preferred activities and travel dates.

Meanwhile, the continued growth in British arrivals and tourism receipts demonstrates the market’s economic importance.

Bolstered by the 2026 Star Destination for Families award, Greece heads into the upcoming holiday season firmly positioned as a top-tier getaway. With its diverse islands, reliable flight connections, and strong industry backing, the country is perfectly poised to welcome a record number of British families in the year ahead.