Cruise Passengers to Face Increased Levy on Popular Greek Islands

10:03 17/9/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek cruise passengers will face higher fees starting next year, with Mykonos and Santorini bearing the brunt of the cost.

The government announced on Monday that a new levy will be imposed on visitors to these islands, amounting to €20 per person during the peak summer

season. Other Greek islands will see a significantly lower charge, and the levy will be reduced during off-peak months.

Popular Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini have experienced significant increases in cruise tourism in recent years. This influx of visitors has often strained local infrastructure, leading to overcrowding and environmental concerns.

The levy is intended to discourage excessive cruise traffic, especially during peak seasons.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni outlined the details of the new fee, which is part of a broader plan announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

From June 1 to September 30, 2025, cruise passengers disembarking on Mykonos and Santorini will pay €20, while visitors to other Greek ports will face a fee of €5.

During the shoulder seasons of April, May, and October, the charge will drop to €12 for Santorini and Mykonos and €4 for the rest of the islands.

From November to March, the fee will be €4 for Mykonos and Santorini and €1 for the other destinations.

The government estimates that the new levy will generate €50 million in revenue. One-third of this will be allocated to local municipalities, another third will go towards improving port infrastructure, and the remaining third will be used by the Ministry of Tourism.

In addition to the cruise levy, the government is also increasing the climate crisis fee. This fee will rise from €0.5 to €2 during the winter months and from €1.5 to €8 during the summer months. The government is also extending the application of the climate crisis reciprocity fee to cover short-term rentals and hotels year-round.

The resilience fee, which is imposed on accommodation providers, will also increase for the months of April to October. The exact amounts will vary depending on the star rating of the accommodation.

Overall, the government's goal is to generate additional revenue for tourism-related projects while also addressing environmental concerns.

The increased levies are expected to have a minimal impact on the overall attractiveness of Greek tourism, which has seen record-breaking revenue this year, estimated to reach €22 billion.

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