The Greek government has confirmed plans to introduce a new “tourist tax” in a bid to tackle the growing impact of overtourism on its busiest destinations.

Visitors arriving at popular islands such as Santorini and Mykonos by cruise ship will be required to pay an additional €20 (£17) starting in 2025, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced.

The levy is part of a broader strategy to manage the overwhelming influx of tourists during peak seasons, which has led to overcrowding and strain on local infrastructure.

While Greece welcomed a record 31 million tourists in 2023, bringing in £17 billion in revenue, some areas – particularly Santorini and Mykonos – have struggled to cope with the high volume of visitors, especially from cruise ships.

“Greece does not have a structural overtourism problem, but some destinations face significant challenges during certain weeks or months of the year,” Mitsotakis said.

He emphasised that the tax will be limited to the most affected locations to safeguard the tourism industry, which is a vital part of the Greek economy.

The revenue generated by the new tax will be used to support local communities and infrastructure on the islands most affected by tourism.

In addition to the levy, Greece plans to impose restrictions on the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at its busiest ports and to limit new holiday rentals.

A tax on holiday homes, flats, and villas is also in the works.

The move follows similar measures introduced in other European countries like Italy and Spain, where protests against overtourism have become more common in recent years.

The Greek government hopes that these measures will help protect both the natural environment and the quality of life for residents in popular tourist destinations.