Greece’s New Tax on Cruise Passengers Comes Into Force
Source: Balkan Insight
Cruise ship passengers visiting Greece must pay the Greek state a special cruise tax from Monday, as part of government measures announced earlier aimed at easing mid-summer overcrowding on popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini.
“The implementation of the measure is a central government choice and is linked to the plan to support and upgrade critical port infrastructure on the islands … the aim is to provide safe and functional facilities, improve accessibility for visitors and ensure integrated management of natural resources,” the ministries of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and of Tourism announced in June, unveiling the plan.
The new tax ranges from 1 to 20 euros on all cruise ship passengers, regardless of age and whether the port is a boarding or transit station. The fee is seasonally graduated and varies also depending on the destination.
From June 1 to September 30, the tax for disembarking in Mykonos and Santorini is set at 20 euros per person. For the other ports it is 5 euros.
From October 1 to 31 and from April 1 to May 31, the price for the two islands is 12 euros, while for the rest of the country it is 3 euros. From November 1 to March 31, the price for the two islands is 4 euros, while for the rest of the country, it is 1 euro.
But Bud Darr, Chairman and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association, CLIA, criticised the planned taxes in an interview in June with the Greek media outlet New Money.
Darr stated that introducing the new tax in the middle of the summer season would make it difficult for companies which have already sold tickets to pass the increase on to passengers.
“This creates enormous operational uncertainty. We are talking about a global industry that operates with very long-term planning. Companies plan, market and sell their itineraries 12, 18, even 24 months, in advance. Any change in cost – especially one that is not integrated into the packages – completely disrupts the commercial balance,” Darr stated.
The Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation, INSETE, reported that in 2024, 35,9 million tourists, not including cruise passengers, visited Greece – well up on the 32.7 million recorded in 2023.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni in June stressed the importance of cruising as a development pillar for Greece – but within the framework of a sustainable tourism model.
Kefalogianni highlighted the direction of the country’s tourism strategy towards development with moderation and balance. She stressed that the main objectives are to strengthen tourism outside the peak period and support local communities and economies.
A BIRN analysis ‘Unliveable’: Has Greece Reached Tourism Tipping Point? disclosed that mass tourism in the country is straining infrastructure and public services to breaking point.
The original article: belongs to Balkan Insight .
