it.euronews.com
Greek Islands Face Overtourism Amidst Projected Tourism Rise
Greece's air tourism is set to rise 7 percent in 2025, but popular Aegean islands face overtourism due to a lack of infrastructure and a surge in short-term rentals, prompting debates on development restrictions and calls for government investment.
- How do the rising numbers of short-term rentals and insufficient infrastructure contribute to overtourism concerns in popular Greek islands?
- This capacity issue stems from a surge in short-term rentals, exceeding hotel rooms significantly (e.g., Paros has 2,500 hotel beds versus 35,000 short-term rental beds). The lack of infrastructure, including water, drainage, and traffic management, further exacerbates the problem, hindering sustainable tourism growth.
- What are the immediate impacts of the projected 7 percent increase in air tourists to Greece in 2025, considering the capacity limitations of popular islands?
- The number of air tourists arriving in Greece is projected to increase by approximately 7 percent in 2025, mainly affecting Athens and Thessaloniki. However, popular Aegean islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros are nearing their visitor capacity, sparking debates on restricting new accommodations.
- What long-term strategies are being proposed to balance economic benefits from tourism with the need for sustainable development and infrastructure improvements in Greece?
- To address overtourism concerns, the Greek tourism industry seeks government investment in infrastructure (similar to Spain's €1.2 billion investment in the Balearic Islands) and sustainable development projects, leveraging the €500 million annual tourist tax. A new governance model, Destination Management and Promotion Organizations (DMMOs), aims to improve collaboration between the state, local governments, and the private sector.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the article leans towards the perspective of the tourism industry. While concerns about overtourism are mentioned, the emphasis is on the industry's need for infrastructure investment and the economic benefits of tourism. The headline (if any) and introductory paragraphs likely prioritize the industry's viewpoint, potentially shaping reader perception to favor this perspective.
Language Bias
The article employs largely neutral language. However, phrases like "overtourism" are used frequently, framing the issue in a specific way that could be considered loaded. The use of quotes from tourism officials supports this perspective. The language could be improved by incorporating more neutral phrasing for "overtourism", such as "high tourist volumes" or "challenges related to high visitor numbers".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the concerns of hoteliers and tourism industry representatives, potentially overlooking the perspectives of local residents and environmental groups. The concerns of those directly impacted by overtourism, such as residents facing increased living costs or environmental degradation, might be underrepresented. While the article mentions the need for sustainable tourism, it doesn't delve into specific measures or policies being implemented to achieve this.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between prioritizing tourism and focusing on other sectors like primary industries or technology. It argues that these are complementary, not competitive, but fails to fully explore the potential tensions between rapid tourism growth and the development of other economic sectors. The article also presents a false dichotomy between the needs of the tourism industry and environmental sustainability, implying that infrastructure investment is necessarily sustainable, without fully addressing potential environmental consequences.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the challenges of overtourism in Greek islands, focusing on infrastructure limitations and the need for sustainable tourism development. Initiatives like the creation of Destination Management and Promotion Organizations (DMMOs) aim to improve sustainable development and targeted promotion. The allocation of tourism taxes to infrastructure projects also contributes to more sustainable urban development. The discussion around limiting new accommodations reflects a concern for the carrying capacity of the islands.