Another tourist hotspot in Europe says ‘no thanks’ to visitors

One of Greece's favourite tourist spots is now saying "no thanks" to visitors. This comes amid the surge in tourism in the popularized coastal areas of Greece.

Santorini, known for its stunning sunsets and scenic vistas, has attracted millions of tourists. However, this surge in popularity has resulted in significant overcrowding, leading locals to call for immediate action.

For many of Santorini's 20,000 permanent residents, the once idyllic island of quaint villages and pristine beaches has been ruined by mass tourism, as per a Reuters report.

As protests against excessive tourism erupt in other popular holiday destinations, including Venice and Barcelona, Santorini represents one of the starkest examples of how hoards of visitors can impact a place.

Authorities on the island have joined other tourism hotspots in calling for a cap on visitors.

The growing number of foreign tourists - some 3.4 million visited the island last year, according to mayor Nikos Zorzos - are putting pressure on its outdated infrastructure and are pricing islanders out of the housing market.

The challenges from the growing influx of tourists extend beyond just parking and crowded attractions. 

Escalating rents and the conversion of numerous properties into vacation rentals have made it difficult for residents to sustain their quality of life.

Despite these concerns, some business owners still advocate for increased tourist numbers, stressing the importance of proper planning and infrastructure to cope with busy periods, as per Schengen.

Before the summer season entered, Greece implemented strict new rules for its beaches, affecting tourists who pretended to visit this country.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/another-tourist-hotspot-in-europe-says-no-thanks-to-visitors/articleshow/112162295.cms