Crete tourism transport sector faces crisis as fuel prices soar

The Heraklion Transporters Association (Σ. Ε. Ε. Μ. Ο. Ηρακλείου) and the Crete Tourist Bus Owners Association have warned that the rapid rise in fuel prices is putting severe pressure on transport companies that serve the island’s tourism industry.

They note that the increase in diesel costs raises operational expenses for public buses, tourist coaches, taxis and rental cars, cutting profit margins and threatening the competitiveness of Greek tourism. With around 900 tourist buses moving thousands of visitors daily, the sector cannot pass higher fuel costs onto customers because many contracts with tour operators were set months in advance. The associations have called on the Greek government to reduce VAT on fuel or provide other financial support to prevent a collapse of the transport link that underpins Crete’s tourism economy.