Study: Two Greek Destinations Face Overtourism Challenges During Summer

Mykonos, Cyclades. Photo source: Aegean Islands

Greece is one of the European destinations most affected by overtourism during the summer months, according to a study conducted by Evaneos, a leading online marketplace for tailor-made tours specializing in sustainable travel, and consulting firm Roland Berger.

The study, the first Overtourism Index, analyzed a sample of 70 of the world’s top 100 tourist destinations and found that Greece ranks high in exposure to overtourism, particularly regarding seaside tourism in the island of Mykonos and Santorini.

The index also identifies Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal as destinations that experience significant overtourism challenges.

Overview of the First Overtourism Index

To assess the degree of exposure to overtourism, each destination is scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 indicating minimal problems and 5 indicating a substantial overtourism issue) based on four objective criteria: the number of international tourists per permanent resident of the destination; the number of international tourists per square kilometer in the destination; the seasonal concentration of tourists at specific destinations; and the overall sustainability of tourism activities in the host country.

The last criterion takes into account factors such as the social impact of tourism, the quality of infrastructure—particularly in popular destinations—and the development and availability of transportation infrastructure and services.

Based on these criteria, overtourism primarily impacts two categories of destinations: seaside tourism, where problems are evident in nearly all European destinations during the summer, and urban tourism.

Mykonos, Santorini, and other destinations seasonally affected by overtourism

Santorini, Greece.

Among the countries that rank high on the Overtourism Index are Cyprus, with a rating of 4.4; Greece, which scores 4.0 due to the high impact of overtourism in Mykonos and Santorini; and Croatia, with a rating of 3.8. Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal all share a rating of 3.6.

Analysts from Roland Berger noted that the issue of overtourism is primarily driven by the fact that 43 percent of all international tourists visit these destinations during the peak months of July, August, and September.

Evaneos excludes Mykonos and Santorini from 2025 holiday packages

In response to the overtourism challenges, Evaneos has decided to exclude Mykonos and Santorini from its summer holiday packages for 2025 (specifically for July and August). This decision aims to encourage visitors to consider traveling in June or September instead. The measure was implemented in collaboration with local offices of Evaneos, which report firsthand on the pressures of overtourism on local ecosystems. This decision comes despite the popularity of these specific packages.

Additionally, Evaneos’s sales team is developing new holiday packages for Greece for the next summer season, focusing on the Peloponnese and other areas on the mainland.

Urban Overtourism Challenges

Overtourism is also a significant concern for urban centers, despite their generally better infrastructure and greater sustainability. While these cities are less economically dependent on tourism, they still attract 37 percent of all international tourist arrivals in European countries during the July to September period. Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Dublin are rated as facing the most significant sustainability challenges.