Greece 'in chaos' as huge influx of tourists sparks locals to beg for change
Greeks are hitting back against overtourism, saying they need to protect their homes from being exploited by visitors.
As neighbouring Turkey sees huge declines in its tourism numbers, Greece is swarming in visitors with huge projections for 2024.
Tourism in Greece has seen a notable increase, with the number of visitors exploding beyond control, growing by 120 percent between 2019 and 2023.
The Bank of Greece reported a significant increase, with the number of travelers reaching 36 million in 2023, with even higher projections for the following year.
But the mayor of Athens, Harris Douka, has said the current tourism model is not viable. “Each visitor brings €0.40 to the city, and we haven’t seen this money yet,” Doukas told Euronews. “We need to find a way to make tourism viable.”
A survey of the public and subsequent report have painted a picture of public opinion on the state of tourism and its future. It was conducted by Pulse for Kathimerini as part of the Reimagine Tourism in Greece initiative.
It found an emerging trend of a preference for “quality” tourists over the quantity of tourists. More than 45 percent said they would rather attract wealthy people who spend more money. Those wanting more tourists at large dropped to just 20 percent.
There is substantial worry regarding short-term rentals, particularly in Athens. More than 61 percent of Athenians expressed worry. Other parts of the country have complained of holidaymakers pushing up house prices and the overall cost of living.
The environmental impact of tourism is also a major issue for locals with 64 percent wanting to protect their natural landscape from excessive construction and safeguard against poor resource management, with water resources being particularly precious.
That being said, 87 percent of respondents acknowledged tourisms importance, with it being a cornerstone of the economy. Greece derives 25 to 30 percent of its GDP from tourism.
There is a positive perception of tourisms benefits, with a rising number of tourists contributing to substantial economic gains.
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Many of the Greeks spoken to acknowledge tourism’s vital economic role but also call for strategies that balance growth with environmental preservation and sustainable development.
The survey’s report suggested evenly distributing tourists across the country in order to prevent overcrowding in a handful of popular spots and to spread the economic benefits.
Developing lesser-known regions could offer tourists new experiences while alleviating the strain on traditional hotspots like Athens, Santorini or Mykonos.
Greece has already brought in a few measures to deal with overtourism, one being the climate crisis resilience tax, given to visitors on hotel bils to raise funds for natural disasters.
Santorini is also planning on a cruise cap for the ultra-popular island to come in 2025. Mayor Nikos Zorzos said that the number of cruise passengers disembarking should not exceed 8,000 per day. The Greek prime minister has said they may bring such caps in across the country.
