Greece Increases Docking Fees & Restricts Cruise Ship Arrivals To Curb Island Overcrowding

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced this weekend that Greece would impose a new €20 levy on cruise ship passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos tourist islands during the peak summer season to curb over-tourism and protect local communities.

Tourism is an essential sector for Greece, accounting for around one-fifth of its revenue. In 2023, the country had about 31 million tourists, generating approximately €20 billion in revenue.

While tourism benefits the economy, it also creates issues, particularly on islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, where communities are under pressure due to excessive visitors.

During a press conference, Mitsotakis stated that while Greece does not have a “structural overtourism problem,” some areas face major congestion during certain times of the year. The new cruise ship levy aims to reduce some of the load on these hotspots.

The levy will be reinvested in local infrastructure, helping reduce the impacts of increased tourist traffic. The government also intends to limit the number of cruise ships arriving at certain places simultaneously, impose restrictions to protect the environment, and address water-related issues on the islands.

Mitsotakis stated that while the tourism industry continues to expand, steps must be taken to ensure long-term development.
The Greek government also intends to increase short-term rental charges and limit new permits in central Athens to provide more accommodation for permanent residents.

Property owners who offer long-term rentals would be spared from rental taxes for three years, which would encourage them to rent to residents rather than visitors.

Furthermore, the government intends to tighten regulations, especially for islands with overcrowded infrastructure. This approach is in response to an increase in villa construction, which has worsened water shortages and increased housing prices, making it more difficult for residents to purchase properties.

The new regulations come amid growing dissatisfaction with European tourism, as traffic has recovered following pandemic restrictions.

In Santorini, local authorities have been under pressure to reduce tourist numbers after chaotic scenes in July when ship arrivals peaked, forcing officials to advise residents to stay indoors to make room for tourists. Despite efforts to reduce daily visitors to around 8,000, some days saw as many as 17,000 people.

Residents of smaller islands, such as Amorgos and Serifos, are also concerned that the new restrictions would shift cruise traffic to less popular destinations, posing new challenges.

Konstantinos Revinthis, mayor of Serifos, an island of only 1,000 residents that has recently seen a rise in cruise passengers, states that the island doesn’t have the infrastructure to host so many people.

Despite the challenges, the cruise industry remains an essential part of Greek tourism, with a 20% increase in ship arrivals expected this year, according to Giorgos Koubenas, president of Greece’s cruise ship owners’ organization.

Santorini, Greece’s most popular cruise destination, attracted 1.3 million cruise visitors last year.

Reference: NY Times, Voa News

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