The Greek government has announced a new disembarkation fee of EUR 10 per cruise ship passenger (~GBP 8) for tourists visiting on ships popular island destinations such as Santorini.
This measure is part of an effort to manage the growing number of visitors to Greece’s islands, which have been experiencing significant strain due to high tourist traffic.
Santorini is set to be the first to implement the fee, with plans to extend it to other popular isles like Mykonos by the end of 2024.
Stefanos Gikas (Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy) confirmed the government's intention to support both traditional tourism and cruise ship arrivals while addressing the challenges posed by the influx of tourists.
The decision comes as Greece continues to see a rise in visitor numbers, with 33 million tourists recorded in 2023, making it the 10th most visited country globally, according to the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO).
The new fee aims to mitigate the environmental and infrastructural impact of tourism on the islands, ensuring sustainable growth for the sector.