A new era begins on the islands

Greece, one of the favorite destinations for Turkish vacationers, is reshaping its tourism practices on certain islands due to the increasing influx of visitors, especially during the summer months. Authorities have introduced new restrictions on popular islands such as Santorini, Rhodes, and Mykonos, citing the negative effects of excessive visitor numbers on natural life.

Within the scope of the "Special Spatial Framework for Tourism" announced by Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, upper limits will be placed on accommodation capacity on the islands. This aims to protect the island ecosystem and maintain tourism without disrupting the region's architectural fabric. Furthermore, stricter standards will be applied to the implementation of tourism investments.

One of the most notable aspects of the new regulations on the islands concerns the limitations imposed on the coastline. Henceforth, construction permits in the first 25 meters of the islands' coastal areas will only be granted for projects serving the public interest. Additionally, tourist regions across the country will be categorized based on their density, and stricter rules will be implemented in overcrowded areas. Protection measures have also been tightened for natural heritage sites, as well as areas of historical and archaeological significance.

There have been no changes to the visa-on-arrival application, which is of interest to Turkish citizens. Thanks to this practice, which continues with the approval of the European Commission, citizens holding regular passports can continue to visit 12 designated Greek islands for up to 7 days by obtaining a visa through the summer of 2026. Officials emphasized that the primary goal of the implemented restrictions is not to reduce the number of visitors, but to make tourism more manageable and sustainable.

With these measures implemented by the Greek government, the aim is to both protect the regional ecosystem and ensure that the unique character of the islands is passed on to future generations in a sustainable manner.

News Source: 12punto