The Greek government is looking to impose a tax on cruise ship visitors to the popular tourist destinations of Santorini and Mykonos in an effort to combat overtourism. The proposed tax would be 20 euros per visitor during the peak summer season. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece does not have a structural overtourism issue but certain destinations have significant problems during specific periods that need to be addressed.
Last year, Greece welcomed over 11 million travelers, generating $7 million in travel receipts. With 209,300 American visitors, the country is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The government is planning to intervene in order to address the impact of cruise shipping on the islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Measures may also include limiting the number of cruise ships that can visit certain destinations in an attempt to alleviate the negative effects of overtourism.
In addition to Greece, other European countries are also facing challenges related to overtourism. The European Parliament has highlighted that overtourism can have severe effects and put natural and cultural heritage sites at risk of losing their appeal as desirable tourism destinations. In response to this issue, Venice has implemented a pilot program to charge day-trippers an entry fee on peak days, while officials in Rome are considering allocated time slots at the Trevi Fountain to regulate visitor numbers and collect fees.
The Greek Ministry of Tourism has not yet provided a comment on the proposed tax for cruise ship visitors to Santorini and Mykonos. These measures are part of a broader effort to address the impact of overtourism on popular tourist destinations in Greece. With the increasing number of visitors to the country, it is crucial for authorities to take action to protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage sites, and ensure a sustainable tourism industry for the future.
