‘The tourism sector is the “sacred cow.” We still regard it as the engine of the economy, without taking its impacts into account. We don’t take the climate crisis into account even though a Bank of Greece report underscored the impact a decade ago. We’re not just discovering them now,’ says Nikos Petrou. [Nikos Kokkalias] Climate change presents an urgent challenge to Greece’s outdated environmental policies, according to Nikos Petrou, president of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature. In an exclusive interview, the nature photographer lamented the country’s neglect of environmental protection, attributing it to a lack of…

[AMNA] The controversial construction of a large tourist accommodation “village” on the Aegean island of Astypalaia is under scrutiny. Shipowner Nicholas Papalios, the investor behind the project, stated that it will not proceed if not supported by the local community. Papalios plans to build 35-40 large villas instead of the initially proposed 250, aiming to contribute to the island’s agriculture and livestock sectors. Despite the positive opinion from the Central Urban Planning Council (KESYPOTHA), the project lacks government support and faces opposition from political parties. In the midst of debates and controversy, the fate of the Astypalaia project hangs on…

Greece Urged to Invest in Marine Protected Areas The endless blue sea embraces the rocks of the Cycladic island of Amorgos, Greece. The creation of marine parks will allow for an increase in fish populations, which in turn will attract diving enthusiasts from all over the world. Only 0.1% of Greek territorial waters are adequately protected, as per a report by Pristine Seas. The report highlights the benefits of investing in marine protected areas, citing successful examples from other Mediterranean countries. Greece, with its extensive coastline, could significantly benefit from protecting 5% of its seas, leading to economic gains from…

[InTime News] Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to unveil the government’s plan for managing and restoring areas devastated by a recent blaze in Penteli, Athens. The plan includes assessing the damage caused by the fire, providing rent subsidies, special loans for repairs, and anti-flood measures. Additionally, efforts will be made to address the environmental impact and to implement new urban zoning plans in Mount Penteli. With a focus on forest management, fire prevention, and sustainable development, Mitsotakis aims to mitigate the consequences of the fire and prevent similar disasters in the future. The proposed zoning plan for Penteli, which…

When thinking about property sales in the Cycladic islands, Santorini and Mykonos usually come to mind. However, recent data from the Hellenic Cadastre reveals that Paros and Tinos have actually seen the most property sales between 2020 and today, with over 12,000 properties sold in the last five years. Santorini, Syros, and Naxos round out the top five spots. Interestingly, smaller islands like Antiparos and Ano Koufonissi have also experienced a significant number of property sales, contributing to the evolving landscape of the Cyclades. The rise in sales on Tinos and Syros has caught the attention of investors seeking new…

As the Covid lockdown lifted, prices for travel and accommodation soared in Greece, excluding many locals from affordable holidays on their own islands. This led to a surge in tourist numbers, causing popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini to succumb to overtourism. In addition, major real estate players entered the market, driving up property prices and exacerbating the housing crisis. Over-construction became rampant, with illegal roads and developments destroying the islands’ landscapes. The government’s refusal to control construction, Airbnb rentals, and tourism expansion risks the islands’ unique identities. Locals fear the irreversible loss of their communities as the government prioritizes…

Despite being targeted by over 400 cyberattacks, Hellenic Cadastre, Greece’s property registry agency, has not suffered any data breaches, according to the Ministry of Digital Governance. The latest attempt occurred on July 19 at 5 a.m., but no data exfiltration or successful malware installation has been reported. Specialized experts from the Cybersecurity Division of the National Defense General Staff are investigating the extent of the intrusion, focusing on the agency’s IT systems. No international hacking group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. While the hackers managed to breach a backup database, no data was transferred to foreign servers. The ministry…

The battle against businesses illegally occupying public beaches is ongoing, with recent inspections sparking controversy among local mayors and MPs in Greece. In Magnisia, a team of inspectors imposed fines and shut down five businesses, including a seafood restaurant with an illegal pier. The mayor of Volos criticized the inspections as extreme, while an MP raised concerns about the impact on local tourism. This issue is not limited to a single party, as support for offending businesses comes from various political factions. Last summer, MPs in Rhodes argued for leniency due to recent wildfires, while an advocacy group identified violations…