Greece tourism boom strains islands' infrastructure

Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of Greece's economy, with foreign arrivals up 27.1% in the first four months of the year and revenues rising 37.7%. The sector helped the country recover from the 2010 financial crisis and the COVID‑19 pandemic, and a new peak is expected by 2026.

The National Bank of Greece warns that roads, ports, power grids, water supply and waste systems are reaching capacity, especially on the popular Cycladic islands. Santorini receives about 3.5 million visitors annually—roughly 200 times its resident population—while Mykonos sees a ratio exceeding 300 to 1. Decades of under‑investment have left the islands vulnerable, as highlighted by the 2025 spring earthquakes on Santorini.

Experts cite the environmental toll of over‑tourism: rising temperatures, heightened drought risk, and increased wildfire danger. The surge in visitors is also driving up rents and property prices, pushing local shop owners and restaurateurs out of prime locations and eroding the islands' cultural identity.