Santorini to Implement €10 Fee for Cruise Passengers

The mayor of Santorini, a popular Greek island, has announced plans to address the issue of overtourism as the number of tourists exceeds the local population during peak season. This summer, the influx of cruise ship passengers has led to significant overcrowding, prompting local officials to consider measures to manage tourist access. A recent incident involving a councillor's social media post urging residents to stay indoors for the arrival of 17,000 cruise passengers highlighted the growing tensions between locals and tourists. In response to the challenges posed by increased visitor numbers, Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos has proposed raising the debarkation fee for cruise passengers from 35 cents to over €10. He advocates for the establishment of local tourist access fees, similar to those implemented in Venice, to help regulate the flow of visitors. The island is grappling with issues such as overdevelopment, traffic congestion, and inadequate parking, which Zorzos attributes to poor management of tourist flows. To alleviate congestion, plans for new bypass roads and additional parking spaces are underway. Zorzos emphasized the importance of preserving Santorini's identity and ensuring its sustainability as a tourist destination. A 2018 study by the University of the Aegean indicated that the island could sustainably accommodate 8,000 visitors per day, and efforts to implement a digital berth allocation system for cruise ships are being considered. Additionally, initiatives to promote off-peak travel have been introduced, including a more frequent flight schedule and extended accommodation availability. However, similar measures in Venice have faced criticism, with local councillors deeming their tourist tax scheme a failure in managing visitor numbers.