Government officials have been basking in the glory of record-breaking tourism numbers for the past five years. However, beneath the surface lies a host of issues stemming from unchecked development, an influx of cruise visitors, water scarcity, poor waste management, and fragile energy systems.

While some measures have been taken, such as increased oversight at beaches, the government is lagging in addressing these mounting concerns and only seems to react when under public scrutiny. With tourism being dubbed as Greece’s “heavy industry,” it is imperative to safeguard its reputation and sustainability before irreversible damage occurs.