September 10th 2024.
Every day, multiple ships make their way to the beautiful islands of Santorini and Mykonos, two of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece. However, in an effort to combat the issue of overtourism, these islands have recently implemented a new visitor tax. This means that during peak summer season, cruise ship passengers will be charged a levy of €20 each for disembarking, with the money being used to improve and maintain the local infrastructure.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the issue, stating that while Greece does not have a structural over-tourism problem, some of its destinations experience a significant number of visitors during certain times of the year. This has put a strain on the islands' resources, and the government has decided to intervene in order to alleviate the burden on places like Santorini and Mykonos.
The tourism revenue for Greece in 2023 was around €20 billion, but the small size of these islands has made it difficult for them to handle the large number of tourists. Last year, Santorini saw 800 cruise ships carrying 1.3 million passengers, while Mykonos received 750 cruise liners, each with the capacity to bring up to 14,000 people. This not only puts a strain on services, but also overwhelms the islands' cobbled and winding streets, making it difficult for locals to go about their daily lives.
Aside from the visitor tax, the government is also considering additional measures to manage the influx of tourists. Mitsotakis mentioned the possibility of limiting the number of ships arriving at a specific destination at the same time, and emphasized the importance of following sustainability rules in any future developments on the islands.
Other popular destinations have also implemented similar measures, such as the city of Porto in Portugal increasing their tourist tax from €2 to €3 per person per night. This trend has been seen in cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Lake Como as well. It is still unclear when these taxes will come into effect and if they will be passed on to customers who have already booked their trips. However, it is recommended to thoroughly review the cruise line's terms and conditions and to contact them for confirmation on any additional costs.
In the end, it is important to be aware of the fees that have been paid in order to have a clear understanding of the holiday's expenses. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue, so please feel free to share your story by emailing us at [insert email address].
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