Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a series of new measures in response to the significant surge in visitor numbers, which has placed a strain on local infrastructure and the environment. The Greek government’s broader strategy to manage over-tourism includes regulating the number of cruise ships allowed to visit popular islands and addressing environmental concerns like water shortages.
Revenue generated from a new cruise ship tax will be reinvested into local communities, improving infrastructure and addressing ecological concerns. This move is part of a larger effort to protect Greece’s natural resources while balancing the growing tourist demand. Additionally, Greece plans to increase the lodging tax during the peak tourist season from April to October. This tax will include a component aimed at combating climate change, while also generating funds to support sustainable practices and improve local infrastructure.
In response to the negative impact of short-term rentals on the housing market, the government has introduced measures to limit these rentals. The plan includes:
- A one-year ban on new short-term rental leases in three key areas of Athens.
- A three-year rental tax exemption for property owners transitioning from short-term to long-term leases.
- Incentives for property owners to rent out their homes rather than leaving them vacant.
Mitsotakis has expressed ongoing concerns about the pressures of overtourism, particularly on Greece’s most popular islands.
Santorini to Restrict Daily Cruise Passengers to 8,000
Beginning in 2025, the Greek government will limit cruise ship visits to better manage the influx of tourists. Santorini, which saw 800 cruise ships bring 1.3 million passengers in 2023, will cap the number of daily cruise passengers to 8,000 starting next year. Mykonos, another tourist hotspot, experienced a 23% increase in cruise ship visits in 2023.
Santorini, with a population of just 16,000 residents, has struggled with long queues and overcrowded streets due to the high volume of tourists. Mayor Nikos Zorzos voiced his concerns, saying, “We live in a place of barely 25,000 souls, and we don’t need any more hotels or rented rooms.”
With Greece welcoming a record 32.7 million tourists last year, these new measures aim to create a balance between tourism growth and the preservation of the environment and local communities.
