Greek Marina Pros Slam Talks of New Docking Tax

Proposals of a tax applicable on mooring at private marinas in Greece has professionals up in arms, claiming the imposition of an added levy will take a toll on marine tourism and lead to financial damage and a loss of jobs.

The President of the Greek Marinas Association (GMA) Stavros Katsikadis has informed officials at the tourism and shipping ministries of the negative effects a proposed mooring tax – which would in some cases amount to approximately 60 percent of the annual berthing cost – on yachts that dock at marinas across Greece.

Katsikadis told Greek daily Kathimerini that foreign yacht owners will opt to moor their craft elsewhere if they are faced with additional charges for morning their boats all year round in a Greek marina, inevitably leading to a loss taxes and jobs. Katsikadis said similar measures in Italy six years ago failed leading to the departure of over 40,000 boats from local marinas.

At the same time, the GMA’s president underlined that many enterprises are already operating in difficult financial circumstances due in great part to the country’s ongoing economic crisis, increasing taxation and migrant influx.