Hypertourism: Two Sides of the Coin – Voices Asking Why Act Louder

As destinations around the world take or are taking drastic measures, the phenomenon of hypertourism is subject to debate. Regarding hypertourism Greece, the ongoing debate is a general suggestion that we need a different, tourism model. Where there are differences of opinion, that’s what it is.

Although tourism stimulates local economies by creating jobs and increasing government revenue, it also has negative effects such as environmental pollution, increased living and housing costs, traffic infrastructure congestion, and the alteration of local identity and cultural heritage.

The negative effects are becoming more and more noticeable, while most recognize the contribution of tourism to the economy

Based on the survey data, 63.5% are concerned about the environmental effects, while 82.4% recognize the economic contribution of tourism to the economy. Some negative aspects are also evident, with respondents focusing on inflation of commodity prices and rents. Specifically, 65.2% agree that tourism increases accuracy and 78.7% feel that it contributes to an increase in rent.

Great contribution to the economy

But tourism contributes a lot to the economy. In 2023, the direct contribution of tourism to Greece’s gross domestic product (GDP) will reach 13%, equal to 28.5 billion euros, the highest historical figure for the sector to date, according to data from the Institute of Greek Association. Tourism businesses, as indicated in the survey.

Considering its “indirect contribution through multipliers”, this figure falls short by 30% (between 28.5% and 34.3%) to 32.7 million in 2023 (+4.4% compared to 2019 and +17.6% compared to 2022), with 36.1 million visiting ships in 2023. except

Dramatic warnings

However, a European Parliament study on tourism in Greece concluded that the current model is not sustainable and could lead to the dissolution of the tourism sector and a large part of the Greek economy in the next 10 years.

Areas of concern raised in the report include how water and energy are managed, maintenance of cultural and historical sites and keeping the coastal zone in good condition.

The group called for a sustainable model for tourism in Greece, arguing that there is currently a “lack of vision and strategy”.

“The current model will lead to the dissolution of the tourism industry and a large part of the Greek economy in the next 10 years”

The report warns that due to the influx of tourists, there is also a water problem and there is a serious problem of non-availability of drinking water in many places. Energy consumption in the tourism industry is a serious issue, especially within the hotel industry.

“The general feeling among the citizens [είναι] The coastal zone and its shared use are threatened by reckless, and sometimes arbitrary, tourism development,” the report added.

“Our country’s economy is highly dependent on tourism, which makes it even more imperative to manage it sustainably so that it becomes a source of wealth with long-term income, without wasting it and making our tourist destinations less attractive. In the long run,” he says.

A bell and from the ombudsman

The suffocation exerted by tourism on the natural and man-made environment in Greece has been documented by a special report by the Ombudsman, which warns that it must be limited if Greece is to maintain a healthy tourism sector on its mainland and islands. Uncontrolled and often arbitrary construction activity and protection of water resources and coastal areas.

The ombudsman considers it necessary to strengthen controls to reduce construction along the coast and reduce deforestation that favors flooding.

“In 2023, the number of foreign visitors reached 33 million, 5 more than in 2022. In many parts of the country, the population doubled, tripled or increased during the summer tourist season, especially in the Aegean island complexes. The Ionian. A typical example is Santorini, with about 15,000 permanent residents. A populous island, it welcomes more than 6 million visitors annually,” he pointed out in the statement.

However, he notes that Greece’s economy is “largely based on tourism, which makes the need to manage it in a sustainable way even more imperative.”

The ombudsman believes that strengthening controls is necessary to reduce construction on the coast and reduce deforestation that favors flooding. Considering the massive demand for drinking water, swimming pools and water parks, it deems it necessary to better manage water resources.