“Your local community Mykonos is concerned and believes that with the huge fee increases that have been announced, there will be an immediate dramatic decrease in cruise ships and visitors to our destination”, underlines the president of the island’s municipal port fund, Athanasios Kousathanas Megas, on the occasion of the imminent increase in the special fee in cruise.
In a letter to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers, he calls for a review of the proposed “dramatic increase in taxes, which targets both cruises and Mykonos, and which could jeopardise the long-term viability of our local tourism sector”.
He counters that “a more balanced approach, combined with careful planning and consultation with local stakeholders, will allow us to manage tourism responsibly, while continuing to promote Greece as a leading global destination.”
In detail, Mr. Kousathanas Megas states:
“Dear Prime Minister,
Following the recent announcement of an increase in the cruise passenger tax from the current amount of 0.35 euros to 20 euros per passenger during peak periods, the Municipal Port Fund of Mykonos would like to express serious concerns regarding the possible implications of this decision both on the cruise tourism industry and on the local community of Mykonos. This decision was announced without consultation or prior notice, which on the one hand surprised us and on the other hand causes us particular concern and worry.
While we recognise the need to adjust the current fee structure, which is indeed low compared to other European ports, a 60-fold increase – from €0.35 to €20 – is an unprecedented leap. Such a measure, while intended to address the localised problem of overtourism, could have a number of unintended and damaging consequences, particularly for small businesses in Mykonos, which rely heavily on revenue generated by cruise ship visitors. The proposed increase risks making Mykonos less competitive as a cruise destination, with potential repercussions for the local economy. While a similar measure adopted in Venice may have contributed to revenue, it did not prevent the very reason it was imposed, which was to regulate visitor numbers.
The Mykonos Port Fund, with its new management that took over at the beginning of the year, has been careful to deal with the matter realistically and always in consultation with the cruise lines. With the berth allocation system that it has implemented, it has managed to decentralize and evenly distribute the arrivals of the new year, limiting them from the beginning of 2025 to up to 5-6 cruise ships per day, so that disembarking passengers can move around comfortably and there are no overcrowding phenomena in Chora and the rest of the island.
Whatever increase in cruise passenger fees is ultimately decided, we strongly advocate that these revenues should be immediately reinvested in our port infrastructure and in supporting the sustainable development of our island, to maintain Mykonos as a competitive destination, which will increase both the competitiveness and attractiveness of our ports, benefiting not only the local community but also the cruise passengers who visit our beautiful islands.
This increase should be in line with the prices of other ports in the region and should be implemented gradually. Excessive increases will lead to a decrease in cruise ship traffic, discourage companies from choosing Mykonos as a regular port and, by extension, cause a recession for local businesses. Balance is essential to maintain the attractiveness and economic prospects of our island.
Mykonos has developed a unique ecosystem where traditional tourists and cruise guests coexist harmoniously, contributing to the island’s year-round vitality. Our strategy aims to extend the tourist season until December, ensuring that cruising continues to play a key role in the island’s economy while providing a high level of service to visitors.”
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