Greece will impose a 20 euro fee on cruise passengers stopping at the popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday. This fee is part of a broader strategy to combat overtourism, particularly in destinations like Santorini, which has become a hotspot for visitors seeking its famous sunsets. With a population of just 15,500, Santorini has seen a staggering influx of tourists, with 1.3 million cruise passengers arriving in 2023 alone, according to the Greek Ports Association.
Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece does not face a systemic issue of overtourism but rather localized challenges during specific times of the year. He noted that the cruise industry has exerted significant pressure on both Mykonos and Santorini, prompting the government to take action. The Prime Minister has also indicated plans to implement quotas on the number of ships that can arrive at these popular destinations simultaneously, aiming to ease the strain on local infrastructure.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has echoed these sentiments, suggesting that local authorities have already set a limit of 8,000 cruise passengers per day for Santorini in the upcoming year. She stated that the current situation, where multiple cruise ships dock at the island simultaneously, is unsustainable. Despite challenges such as wildfires and heatwaves, Greece has continued to attract record numbers of tourists, and officials expect 2024 to set new records.
