Greece to ban new hotels in Santorini due to mass-tourism fears
The threat of mass-tourism hasn’t gone unnoticed in multiple countries across Europe, with Greece the latest nation planning to implement measures to prevent overseas visitors from drastically impacting local life.
The local government is planning to ban the construction on the island of Santorini, with concerns being raised that the massive influx of tourists relative to the local population will only cause increasing levels of damage to the area’s natural surroundings and historical landscape.
For context, Santorini only covers around 29 square miles and is home to an estimated 25,000 residents, but 3.4 million tourists descended in 2023. As a result, the environment and energy ministry is preparing legislation that will be sent to parliament, featuring a clause that would suspend all building licences.
The aim is to put an end to any infrastructural developments that alter the natural beauty of the island, with all existing permits being placed into a state of review, while the addition of swimming pools and extensions to established buildings will be under suspension.
Local Mayor Nikos Zorzos told the Greek Reporter that he’d contacted the ruling authorities to “halt the construction of all types of hotel units, short-term rentals, and especially strategic investments, not only for the caldera but for the entire island of Santorini.”
Mass-tourism fears across Europe
Residents have long had issues with the island being built upon, developed, and expanded solely for the benefit of tourists. This issue has been increasingly focused across the continent, after numerous other countries have raised similar concerns.
Montenegran residents have complained about the influx of tourists disembarking cruise ships that moor in the coastal town of Kotor, and the domino effect has been gaining increasing traction throughout the summer.
In particular, Spanish locals have mounted several large-scale protests against the millions of tourists who arrive on their shores annually, creating knock-on economic effects that are only making life more difficult for the people who live their 52 weeks of the year.
Amsterdam was named the worst city in Europe for over-tourism, with 10.1 visitors for every permanent resident. While nobody is suggesting an outright ban on tourists when the revenue they generate is a vital part of the local economy, many believe the line needs to be drawn somewhere.
Santorini may be the latest to try and stop the aggressive tourist-driven expansion, but based on how things have been going, there’s no chance it’ll be the last.
