Tourists who visit Greece for their holidays spend an average of 252 euros for their accommodation, while around two-thirds prefer to eat out while they are here, according to data made public yesterday.

In what is expected to be a bumper season for the Greek tourist industry, the Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP) released figures offering insight into how the 14 million tourists expected to visit the country this year might spend their money during their stay.

Almost a third of the money visitors spend goes to accommodation, although slightly more is spent on food and drink; in 2002, tourists forked out some 1.9 million euros at restaurants and tavernas.

Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos has predicted an 11.5 percent rise in tourism this year, which will be good news for cab drivers, as tourists currently splash out less than 5 percent of their budget on taxis.