The Impact of Overtourism in Athens

In recent years, Athens has become a popular tourist destination, welcoming over 7 million visitors in 2023. This influx of tourists has brought economic benefits but also significant challenges for the city.

Challenges Faced by Athenians

Professor Katerina Kikilia from the University of West Attica highlights the social and environmental impact of overtourism on Athenians. The housing crisis in Athens has worsened, with many areas being dominated by short-term rentals, leading to the displacement of local families and students.

Kikilia points out neighborhoods like Koukaki, which have transformed into short-term rental hubs, losing their original community essence.

Infrastructure Strain

While the hotel infrastructure has developed, the city’s overall infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the growing number of tourists. The housing issue has become a pressing concern, with rental prices skyrocketing, especially in areas popular with visitors.

Antonis Markopoulos, co-founder of Prosperty, notes the imbalance between rental supply and demand, leading to challenges for both residents and investors in the market.

Efforts to Address Overtourism

Athens Mayor Harris Doukas acknowledges the need for sustainable tourism to tackle city inequalities. Doukas plans to conduct a tourism capacity study to establish limits and gather data on short-term rentals and hotels.

One proposed measure includes reallocating the daily “resilience fee” from luxury hotels to the municipality for infrastructure development, aiming to ensure that the city benefits from tourism revenues.

Stay tuned for more updates on Athens’ initiatives to manage overtourism sustainably.