A new wave of development is attracting more tourists to Plaka, a district dating back to Neolithic times. Locals are resisting by all means, while a crucial decision by the Council of State regarding Airbnbs in the historic area is pending.
Tag: overtourism
Santorini, a top European vacation spot, faces uncertainty as recent earthquakes and overtourism protests raise fears of declining tourist numbers. With potential impacts on the island’s economy and workforce, local businesses and officials are urging for action to stabilize the situation.
Greece is cracking down on its short-term rental market with new regulations designed to enhance safety, address overtourism, and protect local communities. Stricter safety standards, increased taxes, and a registration freeze in popular Athens neighborhoods are among the key changes taking effect.
Starting in 2025, visitors arriving by cruise ship during the peak tourist months will be required to pay a €20 fee. This measure specifically targets cruise visitors, who often visit for just a few hours before returning to their vessels, exacerbating the strain on local infrastructure and resources.
A recent Metro UK reader poll ranked Santorini as the second most disappointing travel destination for 2024, citing overtourism and extreme crowding as the primary culprits. Respondents reported difficulties navigating the island and a diminished experience due to the sheer volume of visitors. The poll also highlighted other destinations falling short of expectations, including the Phi Phi Islands, Paris, the Maldives, and Venice, raising concerns about the broader impact of overtourism on popular travel spots.
Greece’s tourism sector shattered records in 2024, welcoming 36 million visitors and generating €22 billion in revenue.
Greece celebrates record-breaking tourism in 2024 but shifts focus to sustainability, tackling overtourism at popular sites like the Acropolis and Santorini. New measures include visitor caps, increased cruise ship fees, and infrastructure investments to balance economic benefits with preserving Greece’s heritage.
Greece has implemented a new tax on cruise ship passengers visiting popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos to address overtourism and fund sustainability initiatives. The move is part of a broader effort to manage tourism and protect the environment.
Paris, France – A new report by Accor has revealed that Greece is gaining popularity…
Florence is implementing measures to combat overtourism by banning key lockboxes used for Airbnb rentals in the city center. This is part of a broader 10-point plan aimed at preserving the city’s historical value and sustainability amid rising tourist numbers. Other measures include prohibiting unconventional vehicles and loudspeakers used by tour guides. The initiative aims to maintain Florence as a unique and vibrant city for both residents and visitors.
The serene island of Amorgos, once a hidden gem in the Cyclades, is now facing the threat of overtourism. The proposed construction of a cruise ship terminal in the island’s main port, Katapola, has sparked heated debate among locals. Critics argue that the development will irrevocably alter the island’s character and damage its pristine environment.
Greek tourism is expected to see a 25% growth in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to SETE President Yiannis Paraschis. Speaking at the “Reimagine Tourism in Greece” conference, Paraschis highlighted Greece’s strong recovery, with arrivals up 11% and revenues up 5.5%-6% from January to July 2023. He also addressed challenges like overtourism in popular destinations and called for a focus on value for money and sustainable growth in the tourism sector.
Greece is encouraging UK tourists to choose Greek getaways over Spain, emphasizing a focus on sustainable tourism and infrastructure improvements.
Greece has been flagged in the first overtourism index, leading Evaneos to drop Mykonos and Santorini from its offerings starting in 2025. The index, developed by Roland Berger and Evaneos, highlights Greece’s severe vulnerability to excessive tourism, prompting calls for better tourist flow management and off-peak travel promotion.
Greece will charge cruise ship passengers a €20 fee when visiting the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos during peak season in an attempt to combat overtourism and protect the destinations.
A famous vlogger has blacklisted the Greek island of Mykonos for its excessive prices, pushy tipping culture, and discriminatory attitude towards solo travelers. Christina Ford documented her negative experiences, including being asked to tip on her hotel room and facing minimum spend requirements at bars.
Greek Newspaper Unveils Santorini’s Overtourism Crisis, “Immediate Improvement” Needed to Port
“The experience of visitors to our islands should be wonderful and not a grim reality, where due to so many years of inaction we have come to the point of simply asking for the obvious! Infrastructure.”
Santorini, a beloved Greek island, is facing a tourism crisis. As the number of visitors surges, local officials are scrambling to find a balance between economic growth and preserving the island’s charm. A proposed cap on cruise ship passengers has ignited a heated debate between authorities and the tourism industry.
The idyllic image of Santorini, with its whitewashed buildings and cerulean waters, has made it…
Rising costs are deterring tourists from visiting the Cyclades. Soaring ferry ticket prices and accommodation costs have led to a decline in visitors, especially Greek families. The once popular island destinations are now facing an uncertain future.