Greece will impose a new rate of 20 euros for each tourist who arrives from a cruise on the island of Santorini or in that of Mykonos during the summer season, in an attempt to combat the negative consequences of mass tourism.
Greek Prime Minister, conservative Kyriakos Mitsotakisannounced a few days ago that his government would introduce a tax on all cruise passengers disembarking during the high season on the Greek islands.
“(This rate) will be higher in Santorini and Mykonos, and minor in the rest of the Greek islands” Mitsotakis said, stressing that the basis for tourism development must be “the protection of the unique natural environment” of Greece.
About 40,000 people live on the two aforementioned islands, both located in the Cyclades archipelago, but last year they were visited by about 7 million touristsaccording to data from their respective town halls to which EFE had access.
The government also plans regulate the number of cruises that they can arrive daily on some islands to avoid the phenomenon that occurred this summer in Santorini, when on some days two cruise ships arrived simultaneously, disembarking around 16,000 tourists who flooded the island in a matter of hours.
On the other hand, from next year there will be an increase between April and October. tax on short-term rentals, hotels and other accommodationsMitsotakis added, referring to the measures planned to curb the harmful effects of mass tourism.
“A good part of this income will be returned to local communities to improve their infrastructure to cope with the flow (of tourists) they receive every summer,” he promised.
Many Greek tourist islands have faced a serious crisis this summer. water shortage during peak season, as their supply networks cannot cope with the huge demand.
In this sense, the conservative leader stressed that incentives will be granted for the development of greenhouse crops, which are very productive and at the same time consume much less water than traditional crops.
Regarding the housing crisis facing Athens, aggravated by tourism, Mitsotakis announced that “from now on” and for a year The establishment of new rentals will be prohibited short term in the center of the Greek capital.
“One person’s right to earn money cannot interfere with another person’s right to have a home,” the Conservative leader stressed.
