Greece’s ombudsman said reforms were needed if the country wanted to maintain a healthy tourism industry.
According to Reuters, the country’s ombudsman has called for urgent reforms to reduce overexploitation and protect water resources and coastal areas.
Drawn by ancient ruins, the turquoise Mediterranean and reliably sunny weather, some 33 million people visited Greece last year, 5 million more than in 2022.
But a new report by Greece’s ombudsman warns of growing environmental risks.
“The country’s economy is highly dependent on tourism, making it even more necessary to manage tourism in a sustainable manner,” the report said.
Greece “cannot allow its potential to be exhausted, wasted and its tourist destinations to lose their appeal over time.”
The first-ever report on tourism says it generates more than a quarter of Greece’s economic output and provides annual income for around two million people.
Revenue is expected to rise to $21 billion in 2024 from $20.5 billion last year, a major boon for an economy emerging from a decade-long debt crisis.
The popular tourist island of Santorini has a population of 15,550 and receives more than 5.5 million tourists each year, double the number in 2012, the report said.
The island brings in an annual income of 1 billion euros.
“In Santorini, even the tourists themselves complain about the number of tourists.”
The committee called for stronger regulations to reduce coastal construction and slow deforestation that creates conditions for flooding.
Greater consideration was also given to water resources, given the “enormous” demand for drinking water, swimming pools and water parks.
“Tourism is an area where the lack of vision and strategy is particularly evident. There is a critical need for clear tourism governance measures to be put in place,” the report said.
