In a bid to tackle the growing strain of overtourism, the mayor of the Greek island of Symi, Lefteris Papakalodoukas, has proposed a 3-euro fee for visitors who do not stay overnight.
Symi, a picturesque island in the Dodecanese, spans just 65.75 km² (25.39 sq mi) and is home to about 3,000 permanent residents. However, during the peak tourist season, the island welcomes as many as 500,000 visitors annually, many of whom arrive on day trips from nearby Rhodes or on private boats.
The proposed levy would target the estimated 1,000 to 5,000 daily visitors who spend only a few hours on the island. The fee would be included in ferry tickets or charged by travel agencies organizing day tours.
“The island’s capabilities are very limited when it comes to cleanliness, waste collection, water supply, and municipal lighting,” Mayor Papakalodoukas told public broadcaster ERT. The revenues generated by these visiting tourists are not sufficient to boost municipal coffers, he added.
The mayor emphasized that the additional funds generated would go directly toward supporting local infrastructure and public services, which are increasingly burdened by the seasonal influx of tourists.
The news follows a newly introduced charge this week for cruise passengers visiting Greek islands as part of their itineraries, as national and local governments look for ways to make tourism more sustainable.
Symi is one of Greece’s largest protected traditional settlements and a popular stop for yachts and day-trippers. Local officials hope the proposed levy will help preserve the island’s charm, maintain the quality of services offered, and ease the pressure on its limited resources.
