Greece introduced new cruise passenger fees to address tourism management, effective immediately across popular destinations. The policy imposes a €20 fee per passenger for visits to Mykonos and Santorini, with a €5 fee for other Greek ports, targeting the influx of over 10 million cruise visitors annually. The initiative aims to regulate visitor numbers, with Mykonos receiving approximately 1.5 million cruise passengers yearly and Santorini seeing 2 million, straining local infrastructure. The fees will fund infrastructure improvements, including waste management and port upgrades, with an estimated €50 million projected for 2025. The Hellenic Ports Association will oversee collections, distributing funds to local municipalities. The policy follows a record-breaking tourism season, with cruise arrivals up 15% from 2024, prompting the government to balance economic benefits with sustainability. Exemptions apply to children under 6 and residents, while cruise lines must pre-register passenger data. Implementation began with the first fee collections reported on July 23, 2025, at major ports. The measure aligns with broader efforts to manage over-tourism, with additional monitoring planned for the next six months to assess its impact.
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