Greek PM sees overtourism problem only in Mykonos and Santorini

Apart from some popular islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis argues that Greece is not experiencing over-tourism, refuting international media reports claiming the country is being overrun.

“Greece does not have an over-tourism problem; rather, it faces the challenge of concentrated tourist activity in specific destinations for a few months of the year,” Mitsotakis said at a Reimagine Tourism conference sponsored by Kathimerini.

However, he stated that his government is prepared to implement regulations if necessary, including setting limits on the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to visit Santorini, which saw as many as 17,000 visitors per day this summer.

“We understand that the pressures on these islands can ultimately harm our tourism product. We do not want it to reach the point where these islands suffer such damage that visitors have an unpleasant experience. That’s why we were compelled to step in,” he said.

He acknowledged that the islands attracting the most tourists are facing infrastructure strain, particularly concerning water supplies. He suggested that if these issues were addressed, the islands could accommodate even more visitors, further boosting revenue.

“The question is not whether we want more tourists, but whether we want tourists who will spend more in our country,” Mitsotakis said. “Our priority is on boosting revenue. I am more interested in breaking revenue records, which is… tied to the number of arrivals, but more importantly, I focus on tourism’s overall impact on the country’s development.”

Tourism is on track in 2024 to surpass the 2023 record, when more than 33 million people spent over €20 billion ($21.75 billion), making it the country’s biggest economic driver and a source of growth.

He added that Greece would not experience the kind of anti-tourism protests seen in Spain, where tourists were sprayed with squirt guns, although some areas of Athens, such as the anarchist stronghold of Exarchia, display anti-tourist graffiti.

“The question is whether we want visitors who are willing to spend more,” he said, while cautioning against excessively high prices. He pointed out that one notorious restaurant on Mykonos has been gouging tourists for years without being stopped.

He also noted that building permits on Santorini and Mykonos are banned, although there have been reports of ongoing construction on Mykonos, with claims that the Greek underworld has infiltrated some areas.

Greece is also raising the tax on disembarking cruise ship passengers to €20 ($21.75), which has drawn complaints from the industry. However, some of the revenue will be allocated to affected islands and efforts to address climate change.