Greece To Tackle Overtourism With New Visitor Tax on Santorini, Mykonos

10.09.2024 - 20:56 / travelpulse.com / Kyriakos Mitsotakis / Laurie Baratti

Greece is set to introduce a new tax for cruise ship passengers visiting the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the summer’s peak season, in an effort to mitigate the effects of overtourism. 

The €20 ($22) visitor tax was announced on Sunday by Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who emphasized the need to address the strain mass tourism has placed on these iconic destinations.  

Having first presented his primary economic policies for 2025, Mitsotakis explained during a press conference that, “Greece does not have a structural overtourism problem…Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with.”

Among these, Santorini and Mykonos, two of Greece’s most sought-after islands, have been contending with an overwhelming number visitors, especially coming from cruise ships. "Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos, and this is why we are proceeding with interventions," he stated.

Tourism plays a critical role in the Greek economy, which has been gradually recovering from a financial crisis that’s severely impacted the nation over the past decade. In 2023, the year’s 31 million tourists generated approximately €20 billion ($22 billion) for the Mediterranean nation. 

Santorini, known for its stunning sunsets, unspoiled beaches and dramatic cliffsides covered in quaint whitewashed buildings, is home to around 20,000 permanent residents. But, when hordes of tourists descend during peak vacation season, the island is overrun by visitors and risks eventual ruin.  

As in other popular European destinations, such as Venice and Barcelona, locals have begun protesting in favor of placing restrictions on tourism to combat its detrimental effects. 

According to Reuters, a portion of the proceeds from the new tax will be routed to local communities to improve infrastructure, to help the islands better cope with the demands of mass tourism.

In addition to the new levy, the Greek government plans to regulate the number of cruise ships that are allowed to dock in certain destinations at one time. Mitsotakis also said that environmental measures will also need to be introduced and water shortages on the islands addressed. 

The prime minister said on Saturday that he will propose taxing short-term rental properties and banning the issuance of new licenses for such properties in central Athens. These policy changes would aim to alleviate housing shortages for permanent residents.

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