Will Santorini follow Venice and restrict the number of visitors?

Greece’s tourism numbers are swelling, and many residents and local officials are not pleased with the side effects of the mass tourism they find themselves contending with. One of most iconic destinations in the world, Santorini, in particular, is grappling with the consequences of its own popularity.

Renowned for its signature whitewashed buildings that sit along seaside cliffs and its breathtaking sunsets, the island destination is located about 297 miles south of Athens. In actuality, it’s comprised of a group of islands in the southernmost part of the Cyclades, including Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni. 

With its many picturesque qualities and Old-World charm, Santorini currently struggles to accommodate a staggering 3.4 million tourists annually, according to Mayor Nikos Zorzos. The increasing influx of foreign visitors is overwhelming the island’s infrastructure and pricing its 20,000 permanent residents out of the housing market.

It comes as no surprise, then, that locals here are echoing the cries of residents in other global hotspots suffering from overpowering levels of overtourism. As in Venice and Barcelona, where frustration has erupted into protests, residents are calling for preservation and protection measures, such as caps on the number of tourists allowed.  

Mayor Zorzos has been a staunch advocate for safeguarding locals’ quality of life amid the swells of tourists that routinely descend upon and impact the integrity of Santorini. Zorzos has proposed capping cruise ship visitors at 8,000 per day, which would be a significant improvement over the current figure of approximately 17,000. “It is in the best interest of our land for there to be a limit,” he said.

“Our standards of living have gone down. It’s as simple as that,” says Georgios Damigos, who runs a 14-room hotel. “Santorini is a wonder of nature,” he said, but added that the impacts of mass tourism threaten to turn this idyllic island into “a monster”. 

On a national level, Greece is forecast to set a new tourism record this year, with visitor numbers exceeding the 33 million seen in 2023. Arrivals increased by an astonishing 20 percent during the first five months of 2024.

The debate over mass tourism in Santorini and other global hotspots underscores a broader issue: finding a balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the preservation of local communities and environments. As Santorini officials push for a cap on visitors, their efforts could serve as a model for other destinations struggling with similar challenges.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.