Greece will soon implement a 20-euro fee for cruise ship passengers visiting the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the busy summer months. The measure aims to address the issue of overtourism, as announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday.
Tourism is a crucial component of Greece’s economy, which is still recovering from a severe economic crisis that significantly impacted its output. However, some of Greece’s most sought-after destinations, such as Santorini—known for its picturesque villages and stunning beaches, home to around 20,000 residents—are struggling with the pressures of mass tourism.
Mitsotakis explained that while Greece does not face a nationwide problem with overtourism, specific locations experience significant challenges during peak times. “Excessive tourism affects only a few destinations during certain periods of the year, and we need to address this issue,” he stated.
The planned levy on cruise passengers is part of broader efforts to mitigate the impact of tourism on these islands. Revenues generated from this fee will be reinvested into local infrastructure to benefit the communities affected.
In addition to the fee, Greece will regulate the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at these popular spots simultaneously and will introduce environmental protection measures and policies to address water shortages on the islands.
Further measures include increasing taxes on short-term rentals and imposing a ban on new rental licenses in central Athens to boost housing availability for residents. Additional details on these policies are expected to be released soon.
Greek tourism revenues reached approximately 20 billion euros in 2023, supported by nearly 31 million tourist arrivals.
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