A July 2024 Birmingham Live article reports some tourists are abandoning vacation spots in Greece this year. International arrivals to Mykonos have plummeted since 2022, dropping nearly 6% last year. Airline operators flying to the region see a similar decrease in flight bookings.
Greece is famous for its plethora of tourist attractions, historical sites, and island vacation spots. However, Mykonos is an example of a fading relationship between tourists and host countries.
A Deluge of Visitors
It is hardly surprising there is a growing backlash to visitors in some parts of the ancient country. The Greek capital, Athens, has been feeling the strain for some time. Last year, it welcomed seven million people, with an expected 8.4 million arrivals in 2024. Naturally, any city would struggle under such unprecedented numbers.
Professor of Tourism Management at the University of West Attica and local Athenian Katerina Kikilia told Foteini Doulgkeri of EuroNews about the impact it has on her city. “Athenians face daily [sic] the social and environmental impact. The housing crisis is huge.”
Many of the city’s downtown neighborhoods have succumbed to short-term rentals with high yields, forcing families and students away.
What’s more, even if visitors to the city spend money while there, it isn’t enough. Greek leaders, including Athens mayor Harris Doukas, are now speaking out. He explained to Prarthana Prakash with Fortune that tourism “isn’t viable” and each visitor only represents 40 euro cents to the economy. For a country that relies on visitors for nearly a fifth of its economy, this is quite the statement.
The Mykonos Dilemma
Like Athens, Mykonos is suffering from prolonged tourist overexposure. While celebrities and influencers still grace the island with their presence, the island struggles with such fame. The problem has been getting worse and has long-lasting consequences for the locals.
Key workers in Mykonos — including doctors — and other locals now fight for affordable accommodation on the island. Homeowners can command higher fees from visitors than lower-income Greeks. Furthermore, relentless cruise ship arrivals ravage the local environment, especially the water quality.
Such high concentrations of visitors with no access to potable water means they resort to bottles, leading to seabed pollution. Marine environment protection group Aegean Rebreath visited Mykonos in 2022 — the group’s first visit to the island. “The findings were once again alarming since a large amount of single-use containers was collected from the seabed,” reads the review.
The Greek Summer Experience
Evidently, part of Greece’s problem is location familiarity. Australian writer Alyse of Greek travel platform The Invisible Tourist highlights several other reasons why Mykonos is becoming less appealing.
The best beaches in Mykonos are not public, and most resorts charge island hoppers and non-guests a surcharge for using sunbeds. Those who object to a daily fee must seek less comfortable beach access points.Outdoor dining in Mykonos is rife with restaurants serving overpriced plates with cramped seating arrangements. Having one’s elbows bashed by passing tourists isn’t most people’s idea of a relaxing al fresco meal.Mykonos prices are exorbitant because of the influx of cruise ship passengers who have little time to shop around. “In Mykonos, they were charging up to €4 (for a bottle of water) in some places during my visit,” Alyse writes.
While this is about one specific island, this scenario is common throughout the peak tourist season in most overrun spots. Picture perfect Santorini is another example of popularity leading to a seller’s market. Both Santorini and Mykonos still offer great luxury escapes, albeit at a price to the local community.
Giving Back to the Hosts
For those undeterred travelers who want to see Mykonos, there is a shortage of attractive Mykonos excursions and local-friendly encounters. Respecting or rewarding the islands’ residents is one method guests can use to give back. For example, instead of remaining at the luxury resort, visitors might visit local villages or businesses and spend money there.
Mykonos has now gained a government “saturated” label, which means short-term rentals are now restricted to 30 days. Athens falls under the “developed” criterion with a 60-day limit, according to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Moreover, the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said in June that he plans to restrict cruise ship numbers affecting these zones.
Finding Alternatives
Greece started promoting different locations in the post-COVID-19 era. This approach may be the best solution for dense-volume beach towns swamped by Instagram and selfie-stick-wielding devotees. For example, Corfu on Greece’s Ionian Coast and Paros in the heart of the Aegean Sea are both equally beautiful. They offer the same epic sea vistas and charming architecture as their more expensive rivals.
Many islands and coastal towns still remain less affected, thanks partly to social media’s grip on other photo-famous spots like Navagio Beach on Zakynthos Island. There are plenty of alternatives for the discerning Greek visitor during times of the year with more peace.
Those who can make the off-peak season will find reward in dozens of lesser-known places. Taking time to research more relaxed, less conspicuous Greek islands will unearth treasures Instagram hasn’t found yet. Also, Athens and Mykonos citizens would surely be happy for others to share the tourist load.
