Athens Announces Carrying Capacity Study to Ensure Balanced Tourism

Monastiraki, Athens.

As part of efforts to ensure that Athens’ neighborhoods are not negatively affected by tourist activity, the Municipality of Athens announced that it would be conducting a carrying capacity study.

“We are designing the future of Athens taking into account the needs of the city and its people,” said Athens Mayor Haris Doukas during an open meeting this week between tourism stakeholders such as Athens’ hotels, travel agencies, airlines, short-term rental associations, experts, academics and authorities.

 The Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC) study of Athens’ neighborhoods, to be conducted in three phases by the Athens Development & Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) in collaboration with the University of Piraeus and Planning Consultants Gimisis + Associates, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.

More specifically, the TTC will assess the carrying capacity of each neighborhood, analyze data on short-term rental activity and hotel units, tourist flows, the dynamics of the seven municipal apartments, and the challenges.

The overall goal, said Doukas, is to create a sustainable city for both its residents and visitors.

“The study will contribute to the timely treatment of the consequences of overtourism, the prevention of anti-tourism, ensure the quality of the city’s tourism resources, the sustainable utilization of its advantages and it will further contribute to the international reputation of the city as a sustainable, resilient and welcoming destination,” said Angelos Kotios, the head of Piraeus University Tourism Studies Department.