The number of tourist arrivals in Greece fell 8.1% in the first seven months of the year, a leading industry group said Friday, further confirming the dismal trend in this year's tourist season.

According to the Association of Tourism Enterprises, or SETE, foreign travelers arriving at Greek airports totaled 5.9 million in the January to July period this year - down from 6.4 million a year ago.

Although the seven-month figures mark a slight improvement in the number of visitors coming to Greece compared with six-month data to June - when there was a decline of 9.6% - SETE said the industry is still struggling with the effects of the economic crisis.

Apart from seeing a decline in the absolute number of tourists arriving, tourist-related businesses were seeing an even sharper drop in revenue as a result of price cutting during the height of the tourist season.

With its whitewashed villages and sunny Mediterranean coastline, Greece is one of the world's 20 most popular tourist destinations attracting some 15 million tourists and earning around EUR12 billion in revenue each year.

Directly or indirectly, the tourist industry accounts for about 18% of gross domestic product and one in five jobs.