The debate surrounding overtourism in Santorini (Greece) intensified on Tuesday, July 23rd, as the island welcomed 11,000 cruise tourists in a single day.
Panagiotis Kavallaris, president of the Thira municipal community, posted on social media, urging residents to limit their movements due to the surge in tourist traffic. The post, which was later deleted, drew widespread attention and criticism, with some arguing that residents were being restricted to accommodate tourists.
A meeting was held on Tuesday, attended by high-ranking officials from various ministries, the mayor of Thira (Santorini), the governor of the South Aegean region, and MPs from the Cyclades. The discussion underscored the urgent need to limit the number of cruises to the island. Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos stated that the daily number of cruise passengers should not exceed 8,000 and starting in 2025, they will reinstate this cap to preserve the island as a unique destination.
Zorzos explained that it was not feasible to impose limits on cruise arrivals this year due to the advance planning required for such trips. However, the municipal authority has managed to reduce the number of peak days -where visitor numbers exceed 10,000-11,000 - from 63 last year to 48 this year.
Zorzos emphasized that while regulated cruise tourism should not pose significant problems, additional measures are necessary. These include constructing a new port, improving energy infrastructure and urban planning, and better regulation of hotels and Airbnbs.