Greece has announced a new defendant in the 20 euros for tourists who come on cruises to the islands of Santorini And Mykonos during the high weather in Verano. This medicine, announced by the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakisseeks to mitigate overtourism and regulate the number of cruises that these popular destinations attract.
Tourism context in Greece
Tourism is vital to the grey economy, accounting for a significant portion of its production during the economic crisis that has hit the country for a decade. Without the embargo, destinations like Santorini, with a permanent population of 20,000 residentsfaces the risk of verses clouded by mass tourism. This summer, a Santorini councilor warned about the arrival of 17,000 cruise tourists in one daydescribing the situation as an “emergency.”
Measures announced
- Imposition on visitors: The tax of 20 euros will be allocated to local communities to improve infrastructure.
- Cruise Regulation: Whether they will set limits on the number of crosses that can reach certain destinies at the same time.
- Environmental standards: Regulations will be imposed to protect the environment and address it splashing in the water in the islands.
- Short-term apartment rentals: The government is also trying to increase the impetus on short-term buyers and to ban new licenses in the center of Athens, in order to increase the availability of living for permanent residents.
Protests and reactions
Despite the importance of tourism, protests have increased in places like Santorini, where residents are demanding restrictions on mass tourism. The mayor of Santorini, Nikos ZorzoHe denounced the overconstruction on the island and demanded that licenses be held for new hotels and hotel properties in a short plazo.
International comparisons
Greece is not the only country facing this dilemma. Cities like Venice And Barcelona have taken similar measures to control tourism. Recently, the Municipality of Rome has also considered a symbolic payment to regularly access iconic sights such as the Trevi Fountain.
The measures Greece is implementing reflect an effort to balance the economic vitality of tourism with the need to preserve the quality of life of its residents and protect the environment. The situation on the islands of Santorini and Mykonos is a clear example of the challenges faced by many popular tourist destinations around the world.
