Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced to Bloomberg that Greece will start imposing restrictions on cruise ships visiting the country’s most popular islands. This initiative represents the government’s first step in tackling the challenges of “over-tourism” in the post-pandemic era.
Tourism represents about a quarter of Greece’s economic output, with record-breaking tourist visits and spending observed in the aftermath of COVID-19. In 2023, Greece welcomed 32.7 million tourists, an 18% increase from the previous year, while early 2024 saw a nearly 25% rise. Bloomberg reports that cruise tourism generated 847.4 million euros in revenue last year, more than double that of 2022.
Although the prime minister’s decision may unsettle the industry, the impact on mass tourism is expected to be minimal, as ships will continue visiting most islands, including those with ports near Athens in Piraeus. Mitsotakis’ remarks also prompt reflection on whether the economic benefits of large cruise ships outweigh their environmental footprint.
Furthermore, Mitsotakis specifically noted pressure on Greece’s popular destinations, such as Santorini in the Cyclades. Known for its striking volcanic terrain and stunning sunsets, Santorini hosted 800 cruise ships last year, bringing nearly 1.3 million visitors—an increase of almost 17% from 2022, while the island is home to approximately 15,000 permanent residents.
While Greece faces these challenges, it joins other Mediterranean countries in addressing the consequences of high tourist demand. Italy, for instance, banned large cruise ships from Venice’s central canal in 2021 due to damage caused by excessive tourism.
Source: tovima.com
Latest News
Greece’s Organized Food Sector Challenged. Retailers Fear Rev Declines
According to a major retailer there has been negative inflation in the sector in recent months and that any development must exclusively come from a volume increase.
EU Organic Day 2024: Greece’s Organic Farming Sector on the Rise
Celebrated annually on September 23, Greece, which is seeing significant growth in its organic sector, will host events at Syntagma Square from 9 am to 3 pm
PM Mitsotakis at the Summit of the Future: Day 1
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis will deliver his remarks during the plenary session in the General Assembly Hall from 10:00 to 10:30 pm (EET)
Fraport Greece: Record-Breaking Tourism Season for Rhodes
From January to August, nearly 5 million travelers passed through Rhodes Airport, a 14.4% increase from last year
Greek SMEs Digital Readiness Rising ‘Slowly but Surely’
The Digital Readiness Index, created for the first time in 2020, tracks the level of digital maturity of SMEs based on their adoption of 10 key digital tools and systems
BoG: Current Accounts Trade Deficit at 8.6bln Jan.-Jul. 2024
The rise is primarily attributed to the fall of the balance of goods records and, to a lesser extent, to the balance of primary income.
GSI Project: Greek, Cypriot Energy Mins Sign Bilateral Agreement
The formal agreement came a day after Cyprus’s energy regulatory authority made key changes to the regulatory framework of the cable and subsequently approved the project
Greek PM in New York for UN General Assembly
During his stay, PM Mitsotakis is also expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a highly anticipated meeting
Registered Unemployment In Greece Down 6% in Aug. 2024
The number of people receiving jobless benefits was 176,931 in August 2024
Moody’s on Greek Institutions, Banks, Warns of Demographic Problem
The macroeconomic profile also reflects Greece's improved credit conditions, which are still characterized by high levels of non-performing loans (NPLs) compared to the European sector.