Sunday, September 8, 2024 Greek PM Mitsotakis announces measures to tackle overtourism, cruise fees, short-term rental bans, and tax incentives, ensuring sustainable growth and housing relief. In response to unprecedented growth in the tourism sector and rising concerns about the negative consequences of overtourism, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a series of decisive measures aimed at managing visitor numbers and mitigating the impact of the booming tourism industry. As Greece continues to experience record-breaking tourist arrivals in the post-pandemic era, the government is taking action to ensure that the tourism sector remains sustainable, while addressing critical issues such as housing shortages and environmental stress.
During his annual address at the Thessaloniki International Fair , Mitsotakis emphasized the need for immediate intervention to regulate the inflow of tourists, especially cruise passengers, who contribute to seasonal overcrowding in key destinations. The Greek government plans to introduce new fees for all passengers arriving at ports, with higher charges on the most popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos . This move is part of a broader effort to alleviate the pressure on local communities and infrastructure that have been increasingly overwhelmed by the influx of visitors during peak months.
Greece’s tourism sector is a cornerstone of its economy, accounting for around 20% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, Greece attracted a.