Tourexpi
Greece on Monday announced measures to address the
impact of overtourism, which is blamed for a deepening housing crisis and extra
pressure on the country’s infrastructure and resources, local media reported
Monday.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni revealed a cruise
passenger levy of €20 ($22.26) for each person disembarking at the ports of
Mykonos and Santorini, among the most popular touristic spots in the world, and
€5 at other Greek ports, valid from June 1 to Sept. 30, reported the state-run
AMNA news agency.
The levy will be discounted 40% in April and May and
80% between November and March, less crowded months, she added.
This action is expected to bring €50 million in
additional revenues, part of which will be added to the Tourism Ministry
budget, to be used for improvements in tourism infrastructure, she said.
She also gave details of a resiliency fee charged in
tourist accommodation and short-term leases from April until October, which
will be used to help prevention and recovery from natural disasters and enhance
the country’s tourism infrastructure.
The fee will rise from €0.50 during the winter months
to €2, and from €1.50 to €8 between April and October for short-term rentals.
Moreover, no new short-term rentals will be permitted
in the first, second, and third municipal quarters of the capital Athens for
one year, with a possibility of extending the ban further, she said.
Other European countries have introduced similar
measures to stem such problems as overcrowding and a huge environmental impact
from masses of tourists, especially during the summer.
Image
Credit: © AA
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