Santorini overcrowded

One of the most beautiful Greek islands, Santorini, is getting overcrowded with tourists, according to the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN Committee). Santorini reached the maximum number of tourists, 5.5 million, in 2017, which is 66% more than in 2012, when there were “only” 3.3 million tourists.

In 2018, a total of 474 cruise ships with around 750,000 passengers docked at the Santorini port, which is 130,000 tourists and 70 ships more than in 2017. This means that 2,000 people from cruise ships alone visits the island, of the 18,000 tourists a day.

In 2017, there were 107.8 tourists to 100 residents on one square kilometer of this small island.

Although the large number of tourists brings tens of millions of euros to the island, it also causes a whole range of environmental problems, water and power shortages and the doubling of illegal accommodation through Airbnb, which is of no benefit to the authorities. The most interesting thing is that tourists have begun complaining about the large crowds and traffic jams in the past years.

The European parliament claims that the problem is down to the Greek government, which needed to prepare the mechanisms to handle the projected number of tourists.

The lack of coordination between the local self-government and the Ministry of Tourism has led to a range of problems which will cost the Greek government more than it earns from tourism. This example should serve as a warning to other destinations in Greece, especially those in the Peloponnese, the European Parliament believes.

Airbnb, Inc.

Airbnb

European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN Committee

Ministry of Tourism of Greece

number of tourists on Santorini

Santorini island

Santorini

Peloponnese