Greece’s early reopening of tourism is already reaping positive results, according to a recent article by US-based Forbes Magazine. Booking data for travelers and tourists wanting to experience the sun, sea and sand of Greece this summer places the country well ahead of other popular destinations in Europe.

On June 1, those who are vaccinated with EU-approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca) will be allowed to travel freely in the 27 member states without having to show a negative COVID-19 test result to the border authorities or be required to quarantine upon arrival. This “green certificate” will fuel a tourism boom in the Mediterranean, but Greece’s early reopening this month has already given it a head start.

Travel deal-finding site “Hopper” claims that its users have booked more summer flights to Greece than anywhere else in Europe.

American tourists still prefer the classic European city destinations (London, Paris, Rome, Madrid), but the new summer connections between Athens and Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. encouraged “Hopper” users to book more flights to Greece, as they cost 18% less this summer than they did in 2019.

In the short term, green lighting vaccinated travelers from the US will be permitted in the European Union, enabling them to travel between member states. Greece is a relatively cheap option for American travelers and Athens is conveniently connected with daily routes to every Greek airport and island, including Mykonos, Santorini, or Corfu.

Both Athens and Lisbon are recommended on the list of destinations “for the best European bargain of all.”