Greece is an important touristic destination. It has a population of 11 million people, and during current year 2014, it is predicted that there will be more than 17 million visitors.


This is because of its history, the ancient monuments, but also because of its natural beauty. The main destination of visitors is the islands of theAegean and Ionian Sea. (e.g. Creta, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, etc.) and archeological sites (e.g. Acropolis, Olympia, Delphi, Knossos etc.)



Tourism has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. It exerts strong pressure to the natural environment, especially in the case of ''low budget'' mass tourism.

The main problem to the environment is the rampant increase of tourist sites, which violate and degrade the natural landscape.

Another frequent case is that in some cases the number of tourists is above the supply of resources in a place (e.g. water, waste disposal, etc.), leading to the deterioration of the life of local people, and a reduction in the quality of tourist's experience.

Recently, Greece agreed to put in force the new Development Plan for Tourism.The main elements of this plan are:

- Change from the current model of mass tourism to a model with a better quality tourism

- The support to alternative kinds of tourism (e.g. agritourism, sport, religious tourism, spa tourism etc)

- The increase in the tourist period from 3 summer months (which is the current tourist period)

- Motivation for the utilization of inhabited island and mountain areas as tourist destinations (with rules on respecting the environment, always)

- There is emphasis on tourist development in traditional areas and inhabited villages which are known as traditional settlements.




On the other hand, many people state that, with the aim of tourist development, because of the severe financial problems of the county, the new Development Plan for Tourism will violate several laws about nature and sensitive ecosystems. Until today, these laws work as a dam of protection against the rampant tourist development.

Characteristically, the WWF Greece reports that:

- The new plan focuses on the intensification of the tourist exploitation, even in areas which have been characterized as already developed, and not on the creation of conditions of sustainable regional planning.

- There is no reference to the need to respect the capacity of areas where new tourist facilities sited

- The plan does not focus on the removal of illegal current tourist facilities or facilities which degrade landscapes. Also, there are no adjustments for the removal of current illegal buildings on beaches and forests.

- Does not show concern about the creation of new settlements, isolated from the local society and economy. These settlements may be built as well in areas of the network Natura 2000, which are protected areas.

- It decreases the lowest possible distance to 50m from the foreshore line, on islands and in coastal areas. Till now, the limit was a distance of 100m.

- There are no restrictions on building on small islands with surface over 300 acres, instead of 500 acres, as it was until now.

- There are severe restrictions on building houses on an altitude of over 800 m rather than 600m, as it is now.


Tourism is probably the biggest Greek financial activity. Till today, the tourist development has been smooth in most of the areas. On the same time there are a number of problems, such as illegal constructions outside the town plan.

It is sure that there must be a better organization and strategy for the new requirements for tourist development.

However, many people are skeptical on the possible danger of characterizing tourist development the construction of new big hotels, instead of the policy of sustainable development, according to the potential of each area.

Only such a policy will protect the environment and will secure the future of such an importance activity of my country's economy.