The images of this summer, with crowds of tourists that crowd the narrow streets of Santorini, will they become a memory? It is what Greece hopes for, determined to counter the phenomenon of overtourism in its islands. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced its intention to introduce a new tourist tax of 20 euros for visitors landing at Mykonos and Santorini means cruise ships. Although the effective date has not yet been specified, the measure aims to counter the growing tourist overcrowding in these two iconic destinations.
With this initiative, the government intends relieve pressure that mass tourism is exerting on these islands, where the local infrastructures struggle to handle the huge influx of visitors. Santorini, for example, with only 15.500 inhabitants, welcomed 2023 million passengers from 1,3 cruise ships in 800. This imbalance has put a strain on local resources, raising concerns among residents and tourism operators.
Mass tourism in Greece
Mitsotakis clarified that the overtourism problem it does not affect all of Greece uniformly, but focuses mainly on some destinations that are particularly popular during certain periods of the year.
In 2023, the Greece welcomed a record 32,7 million visitors, with approximately 10% going to Santorini. The massive influx concentrated in specific periods, often during the summer season, has highlighted the limitations of local infrastructure, especially in managing cruise traffic.
“Greece it doesn't have a structural problem of overtourism, but in some specific destinations and during certain periods of the year,” Mitsotakis said during a press conference. “The cruise industry has put pressure on Mykonos and Santorini, so the tax will be 20 euros,” he added. The Prime Minister explained that tourists too who stay in hotels they complain about the excessive influx, fearing that the island will be overwhelmed by too many people. “Santorini is the most vulnerable, followed by Mykonos,” he concluded. The islands of Mykonos and Santorini, with their cosmopolitan charm and picture-postcard views, have now become attractions for millions of tourists from all over the world.
According to the Prime Minister, it is It is essential to regulate the number of cruise ships that dock simultaneously in the ports of these islands, to preserve the quality of the tourist experience and protect the environment and local resources. And so, starting in 2025, measures will be taken to reduce the number of daily cruise ship dockings.
Other major European tourist destinations, such as Venice, Barcelona, Mallorca and Amsterdam, are already implementing measures to manage cruise ship tourism.
The phenomenon of Overtourism
Overtourism, or tourist overcrowding, is a phenomenon that causes serious inconvenience to many global destinations, impacting local infrastructure, residents' quality of life and the environment. The World Tourism Organization defines overtourism as problem that compromises the quality of life of residentsie the ability of destinations to offer authentic tourist experiences.
After a decline in 2020, the Global tourism is on the upswing and travel spending is expected to reach $8,6 trillion by the end of 2024. But the growing number of travelers contributes to overtourism, with 80% of tourists concentrated in just 10% of global destinations.
In recent years, the social media boom has transformed some locations into must-see destinations, attracting large crowds of tourists. This has led to various problems, including overloaded infrastructure, rising costs of living, and difficulty finding affordable housing. A environmental level, on the other hand, overtourism involves excessive consumption of natural resources, increased pollution and damage to ecosystems, especially in coastal and naturalistic areas.
Santorini, eg, it has become an emblematic case: its fragile volcanic geography and limited water resources have been put to the test by the massive arrival of tourists, while the increase in maritime traffic has generated concerns about water pollution and the protection of its natural beauty.
I The numbers of overtourism are clear. McKinsey & Company's "The State of Tourism and Hospitality 2024" report reveals that Most crowded cities in the world in 2023 are Dubrovnik, Venice and Macau, with Rome in 13th place in the top fifteen. Travel numbers are on the rise, with nights spent in EU accommodation establishments increasing by 6,6% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year. By 2030, Venice will see a 26% increase in tourist crowding, while Marrakesh (+86%), Amsterdam (+72%) and Dubrovnik (+70%) will experience even bigger increases.
Overtourism: a global problem
Greece is not the only country to take measures against tourist overcrowding; other European destinations are also regulating tourist flows to protect their cultural and natural heritage.
A Venice a has been introduced Five euro entrance fee for day visitors, valid for those over 14 years old. The ticket, mandatory from 8:30 to 16 on the days indicated, must be paid by all visitors, regardless of the means of transport. Anyone entering the city without a ticket risks a fine of 50 to 300 euros in addition to the cost of the ticket.
Recently, Roma is considering limitate access to the Trevi Fountain to combat tourist crowdsIt is expected to introduce a two euro note to access the stepped “basin” of the fountain, with mandatory reservations for 30-minute visits. Roman residents will continue to have free access while the view of the fountain from the square will remain accessible to all.
Similarly, Barcelona has taken steps to manage the impact of tourism, limiting tourist accommodation licenses and regulating cruise ship arrivals, and has increased tourist taxes to fund urban sustainability projects.
Towards sustainable tourism
The concept of sustainable tourism has become central to the policies of many countries who want to combine the right to welcome visitors with the need to preserve their territories. The goal is to prevent mass tourism from turning into a boomerang, capable of destroying what initially attracts tourists: the beauty of the places and their authenticity.
In this perspective, the introduction of a 20 euro tax for cruise passengers in Mykonos and Santorini represents a first step towards a more balanced approach to tourism. The measure will not only limit the influx, but It will also generate economic resources to be reinvested in sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection.
The evolution towards a more aware and respectful tourism of local communities will probably be the main challenge of the next decades, not only for Greece, but for all global tourist destinations that want to maintain their charm without sacrificing the quality of life of their inhabitants.
