Greece to introduce EUR 20 Fee for cruise ship tourists

Santorini : Greece is ready to introduce a EUR 20 fee for tourists arriving on cruise ships to its popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos.

According to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the new charge is a response to the significant surge in visitor numbers, which has strained local infrastructure and the environment, as per reports.

As part of a broader strategy to tackle over-tourism and protect its islands, the Greek government will also regulate the number of cruise ships allowed to visit these islands.

Local media reports that new environmental measures are being introduced to address water shortages and other ecological concerns. Revenue from the cruise ship tax will be reinvested into local communities to improve infrastructure.

The country's government plans to raise the lodging tax during the peak April-to-October period to manage high tourist volumes further.

In 2023, Santorini and Mykonos saw a notable rise in cruise ship arrivals, with 800 ships bringing 1.3m passengers to Santorini alone. Mykonos experienced a 23pc increase in cruise ship visits.