Cruise Tourism in Greece: A New Era of Growth Amidst Overtourism Concerns

Greece is becoming an increasingly popular cruise destination, with a significant contribution to its economy. In 2023, cruise tourism in Greece generated 2 billion euros for the domestic economy and 1 billion euros for GDP, supporting 22,600 jobs.

The growth is driven by Greece's appeal to cruise operators, who are sending more ships to the country, especially to islands like Santorini and Mykonos.

However, the rapid rise in demand has raised concerns about overtourism, especially on small islands that struggle to handle the large influx of visitors.

Cruise tourism's impact on Greece's economy is substantial, with the sector growing significantly in 2023 compared to 2022. Direct and indirect contributions, including 500 million euros in wages and 22,600 jobs created, highlight the importance of this industry. Homeporting, a strategy where cruise ships start and end their journeys in Greek ports, has been particularly beneficial. This approach, which the Greek Ministry of Tourism has promoted over the past decade, has led to increased revenues and extended stays for tourists, contributing further to the economy.

Concerns about overtourism have prompted calls from local communities for effective crowd management. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has acknowledged these issues, introducing measures such as caps on cruise ship arrivals, visitor quotas, and a proposed levy on cruise tourism to address overcrowding.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is working with local authorities to implement sustainable cruise tourism practices. Maria Deligianni, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at CLIA, highlighted several strategies, including adjusting cruise itineraries, introducing berth allocation systems, and promoting lesser-known destinations. These strategies are designed to spread tourism more evenly across the year and across a broader range of destinations.