Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, believes that the country does not have an overtourism problem, but rather faces challenges with concentrated tourist activity in specific destinations during certain months of the year. Mitsotakis is focused on boosting tourism revenue and improving the country’s infrastructure to accommodate more tourists. Despite the concerns about overcrowding in some Aegean islands, Mitsotakis believes that Greece has untapped potential for tourism in destinations like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete.
Between January and July, Greece experienced an increase in international air passengers and tourism spending, indicating a growing interest in the country as a travel destination. Mitsotakis highlighted the need for improved infrastructure in certain islands to address challenges during peak months. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the visitor experience and local resources by implementing necessary interventions in the tourism sector, such as charging cruise passengers fees for infrastructure improvements and regulating cruise ship arrivals on popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini.
In an effort to extend the tourist peak season beyond July and August, Mitsotakis announced measures to encourage cruises to visit other destinations in Greece. He believes that diversifying tourist activities and spreading out visitor traffic can help alleviate the strain on local communities and infrastructure. Mitsotakis expressed confidence in the Greek people’s understanding of the value of tourism and their ability to manage the influx of visitors without overwhelming the destinations.
Despite concerns about potential protests and overcrowding similar to those seen in other popular tourist destinations, Mitsotakis remains optimistic about Greece’s ability to handle increased tourism. He believes that there is still more room for growth in the tourism sector, particularly in cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete, which have yet to reach saturation levels. By continuing to invest in infrastructure and diversifying tourism offerings, Mitsotakis hopes to sustain the country’s economic development through tourism revenue.
Overall, Mitsotakis is focused on maximizing tourism revenue and improving infrastructure to accommodate more visitors in Greece. While acknowledging challenges with concentrated tourist activity in certain destinations, he remains optimistic about the country’s potential for growth in the tourism sector. By implementing measures to regulate visitor traffic and encourage diversification, Mitsotakis aims to address concerns about overcrowding and maintain a positive visitor experience while boosting economic development through sustainable tourism practices.
