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Island municipalities across Greece are stepping up demands for new legislation allowing them to impose compensatory fees on day-trippers, as small destinations struggle to cope with the mounting costs of mass tourism.
The Regional Union of Municipalities of the South Aegean, representing 34 islands in the Cyclades and Dodecanese, has unanimously decided to request the government’s approval for local authorities to charge fixed “visitor contribution” fees.
The measure would apply to day visitors who arrive on ferries or cruise ships but do not stay overnight and therefore do not pay the accommodation tax that funds local services.
The union has commissioned Professor Michalis Papageorgiou, a legal expert, to draft the proposal’s legal framework. His report is expected to be submitted to the Greek government soon, according to a report by the Kathimerini newspaper.
Islands such as Santorini and Symi receive thousands of daily visitors during the summer months, many of whom arrive on organized excursions.
While they boost local business activity, officials say the visitors also place a heavy burden on island infrastructure, including water supply, power, sewage, and waste management systems.
The strain is especially acute amid soaring electricity costs and the high energy demands of desalination plants—crucial for islands that lack freshwater resources.
Local leaders argue that without additional funding, municipalities cannot sustain basic services during the peak tourist season.
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