United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Cruise tax of €20 announced for Greek islands
Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed it will impose a €20 fee on cruise ship visitors in Santorini and Mykonos during high season summer months.
The two islands are at the heart of Greece’s fight against overtourism, often almost doubling their population during busy days when multiple cruise ships call.
“Greece does not have a structural overtourism problem but some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with,” the PM said during a press conference.
“Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions,” he said.
“The cruise industry has put a strain on Santorini and Mykonos.”
A portion of the cruise passenger tax will be used to improve infrastructure on the islands.
Mitsotakis also said ‘bold’ cruise ship limits are being looked at for the two islands.
“It is important to observe sustainability rules in everything that is built from now on,” he told reporters.
“To put the brakes on islands where we believe that the situation has reached a point where the infrastructure limits are actually being tested.”
Recently, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni called for cruise ship quotas, and Santorini officials proposed a daily limit of 8,000 cruise passengers per day from next year.
“It’s impossible for an island such as Santorini to have five cruise ships arriving at the same time,” she said.
However, the Prime Minister said it is ‘dangerous to present Greece as a country that is hostile to tourism.’
Related News Stories: Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls Thousands protest in Barcelona against overtourism Cruise ship calls to Noumea could be cancelled due to widespread … Airbnb Luxe | Luxury Retreats – TravelMole Carnival Cruise Line – TravelMole Global IT outage causes havoc at airports around the world Cunard – TravelMole PONANT offers flight inclusive Japan cruise packages British Travel Awards nominations now open – TravelMole Bamboo Airways funds frozen over tax arrears
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled