From Nolan’s Odyssey to Netflix’s Emily, Greece basks in set‑jetting glow and celebrity hype

ATHENS, Aug 23 — A wave of US tourists is discovering the Greek islands, drawn by celebrities like Madonna, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber. Madonna, turning 68 on Corfu, celebrated with parties and boat trips, receiving praise from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Christopher Nolan's blockbuster The Odyssey, filmed in the Peloponnese, is also fueling the trend, though holidaymakers face a tougher return journey than the hero's.

Stars such as Bieber, Perry, and Trudeau have shared their Greek escapades on social media, providing free advertising for Greece's tourism industry. Celebrity endorsements have given Greece a significant boost in its bid to become a desirable summer destination, particularly for Americans, who represent the third-largest source of tourism income.

Greek airlines have increased services, with American Airlines boosting seat capacity by 30 percent. Greece has seen a record number of direct flights from the US, with the country's tourism sector contributing nearly 30 percent of its GDP.