Furious locals in Greece are voicing their frustrations over the influx of British tourists, decrying what they perceive as “overtourism“.
In Athens, shop shutters are now covered with graffiti declaring “No more tourism,” reflecting growing tensions that are also evident in Spanish hotspots like Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Majorca.
Katerina Kikilia, Professor of Tourism Management at the University of West Attica, highlighted the strain on the city, stating: “We need rules. Athenians face daily social and environmental impacts. The housing crisis is huge.”
Athens saw over seven million tourists in 2023, with predictions indicating a 20 percent increase this year, transforming once quiet August streets into bustling tourist hubs.
“Once a beautiful neighbourhood, it’s now a hub for short-term rentals, no families, and no schoolchildren,” Kikilia added speaking to Euronews.
“Each visitor brings €0.40 to the city, and we haven’t seen this money yet”, Mayor Harris Doukas said. “We need sustainable tourism that doesn’t worsen city inequalities.”
Doukas announced plans for a tourism capacity study to determine the city’s limits and gather data on short-term rentals and hotels.
The surge in tourism has led to skyrocketing rental prices, particularly near popular metro stops.
Antonis Markopoulos, co-founder of the real estate company Prosperty, explained: “There’s a huge supply problem in the rental market, demand is five times more than supply. Many renovated properties are marketed for short-term rentals or through closed networks, never reaching the general market. Many are struggling.”
The warnings to UK tourists come as protests and demonstrations erupt across the Canary Islands and Balearics.
The Ombudsman’s report on sustainable tourism highlighted the socio-cultural impact of tourism, noting that “In urban areas the socio-cultural impact is big, tourists are displacing long-term residents and changing the character of the neighbourhoods. The housing issue has become explosive.”