I s there such a thing as too many tourists? The people of Greece certainly think so, as they recently demonstrated that despite the obvious benefits to the economy, tourism has brought many negatives, especially for ordinary citizens. According to media reports, tourism in Greece soared by a staggering 120 percent between 2019 and 2023 as thousands of visitors from throughout Europe and around the world flocked to the country to enjoy its historic sites such as the city of Athens and lounge on its many beautiful beaches. Greece, which survived a historic debt crisis that followed the country’s hosting of a hugely expensive US$11 billion-Olympic games in 2004, should have been overjoyed to report that in May 2023 alone, total tourism revenue increased by 6.
8 percent, as arrivals to the southeast European country rose by 21.3 percent. The Greek economy is booming, partly due to exploding tourism but the unease of citizens there is growing as locals complain they are being forced out of their neighbourhoods due to increasing rental prices – a direct consequence of the expanding accommodation needs of visitors.
“Locals are feeling the pinch and being squeezed out of their neighbourhoods as they simply can’t afford to live in places overrun with tourists,” was the way one publication described the situation. It was reported that many areas and neighbourhoods of Athens, for example, “have been occupied by short-term rental accommodation and have become tourist accommod.