Travellers on cruises to the picturesque Greek islands will face new fees effective in 2025. The Greek Parliament has officially approved a tax measure targeting Santorini, Mykonos, and other destinations. This move aims to address the country’s significant climate change and overtourism issues.
New Fees for Visiting Popular Greek Destinations
Passengers will now be charged 20 euros (approximately $21 USD) per person to call at the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Other destinations in Greece, such as Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete, will have a fee of 5 euros (approximately $5.27 USD) per person. The funds raised from these fees and a new short-term rental and hotel tax will be used to tackle climate change and over-tourism issues in the country.
Greece aims to generate around 400 million euros (approximately $421 million USD) from these new levies. In 2024, the country was projected to host over 8 million cruise passengers, a 20% increase from the previous year. Santorini alone saw a record 1.3 million cruise vacationers in 2023.
Over-Tourism Concerns
On peak days, Santorini, which has a resident population of just 15,500, can see up to 17,000 cruise guests. This influx overwhelms the local infrastructure, causing traffic congestion and straining pedestrian areas. Similarly, Mykonos, with a population of about 12,000, hosted eight cruise ships and 20,000 passengers in one day in August 2024, highlighting the need for better management of tourism resources.
Greek officials first proposed levying arrival fees in September 2024, indicating that the funds would be invested in improving infrastructure and sustainability efforts across various destinations. They also suggested a digital berth allocation system to manage daily cruise ship arrivals, though this measure has yet to be enacted by parliament.
New Taxes for Land Travellers
Starting in 2025, land travellers will also face increased daily taxes on short-term rentals and hotels during the high season from April to October. The daily tax on short-term rentals will rise to 8 euros (approximately $8.41 USD), while the daily hotel tax will be up to 15 euros (approximately $16 USD), depending on the property.
Global Trend of Addressing Over-Tourism
Greece is not alone in introducing measures to curb over-tourism and boost local revenues. Mexico has proposed a $42 per person immigration fee on tourism arrivals effective in 2025, raising concerns among cruise lines about the potential impact on cruise fares. Similarly, Haines, Alaska, has implemented a $9 fee on each cruise guest arrival to address the impact of cruise tourism on local services and infrastructure. This fee will rise to $12 in 2027 and $13 in 2029.
These measures reflect a growing trend among popular tourist destinations to manage the effects of over-tourism and ensure the sustainability of their natural and cultural resources for future generations.
For more information on travel taxes and fees, visit the relevant authorities’ websites or consult your travel advisor.
