Greece implements measures to control mass tourism and protect the environment.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has taken a bold step towards tourism sustainability in his country, announcing a series of measures aimed at controlling tourist overcrowding in the most popular islands and in the capital, Athens. During his speech at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair, Mitsotakis emphasized his concern for the image of certain Greek islands, which have been under increasing tourist pressure, particularly due to the influx of cruise ships. Tourism, which has reached record numbers in Greece this year, with over 36 million visitors in a country of only 11 million inhabitants, has generated both economic benefits and significant challenges. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister outlined a plan that seeks to transform the tourist experience in the country, advocating for a more balanced approach that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens and environmental preservation. Among the announced measures is a plan to incentivize the conversion of short-term rentals into three-year lease agreements, offering tax incentives to property owners. This initiative aims to mitigate the growing difficulty of accessing housing, a problem that has emerged in Greece in recent years and which many attribute to the rise of rental platforms like Airbnb. However, the final wording of the law is yet to be defined, raising concerns about the impact it will have on digital nomads seeking longer stays. Additionally, starting in 2025, the Greek government will begin to charge 20 euros for each cruise passenger disembarking on the islands of Santorini and Mykonos. This decision responds to concerns about the saturation of these destinations, where the resident population is significantly smaller than the daily number of visitors. The mayor of Santorini had already proposed limiting the number of cruise tourists to 8,000 per day, highlighting the need for a more sustainable and managed approach to tourism. Mitsotakis emphasized that "a large part of the revenue" from this new fee will be allocated to combating the effects of climate change, increasingly evident in a country that has suffered devastating wildfires in recent summers. With this approach, the Prime Minister aims for the tourism sector to not only be a source of income but also to contribute to sustainability and the protection of the natural environment. Despite the measures, Mitsotakis was quick to clarify that his intention is not to discourage tourism itself, but to limit overcrowding in places that are already overloaded. Concerns about the impact of tourism on the quality of life of residents and on the infrastructure of the islands have led the government to take actions that balance the economy with social and environmental needs. However, the future of these measures remains uncertain, particularly regarding how they will be implemented and their actual effectiveness. The lack of clarity on whether the restrictions will also apply to long-term stays has sparked debate in Greek society. Meanwhile, pressure on the housing market continues to increase, causing growing discontent among citizens. Questions have also been raised about the possibility that limiting cruise ships in popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos could lead to an increase in tourism to lesser-known islands. Greece has 106 inhabited islands, but for now, many of them have shown little interest in attracting the cruises that would eventually be diverted. The recent episode involving a large cruise ship docking in Lesbos, an unusual destination, highlights the complexity of the situation. Local authorities, who hoped to capitalize on the arrival of tourists, found that no shops opened to cater to the cruise passengers, underscoring the lack of preparation and interest in this type of tourism in some regions. In summary, the measures announced by the Greek Prime Minister are a response to the growing concern over the effects of mass tourism on the quality of life of residents and the environment. As Greece seeks to balance its role as one of the world's leading tourist destinations with the need to protect its cultural and natural heritage, the effective implementation of these policies will be crucial to ensuring a sustainable future for the country.