Tourists issued cruise warning as major EU destination introduces £17 charge

Brits flocking to an insatiably popular set of European destinations this summer have been warned over hefty charges.

Last year, a whopping 40.7 million tourists headed over to Greece and its cluster of picturesque islands, marking a 12.8 per cent spike compared to the year before. While the huge influx is believed to have generated a staggering €21.6 billion (around £18.6bn) in tourism revenue, officials argue local people aren't seeing the benefit.

In fact, many residents argue the surge in holidaymakers is pricing them out of the property market - and wrecking the country's environmental beauty. As a result, many hotspots have started to introduce a tourist tax - with profits designed to support local infrastructure and 'promote' sustainable tourism levels.

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Cruise ships are a huge issue in Greece, often flooding tiny islands with thousands of tourists in one big hit. This stretches the island's amenities, creating sudden surges of demand in cafes and restaurants, and results in insufferable crowds and queues.

This is why cruise passengers will be charged a hefty tourist tax when entering Greek ports. The fee, which comes into effect on July 21, 2025, until September - is €20 for hotspots like Mykonos and Santorini, and a much lower €5 in less popular ports. This works out at around £17 and £4.31, respectively.

"Please note that this mandatory fee applies to all guests, regardless of age, who transit through a Greek port - including ports of call as well as the port of disembarkation," MSC Cruises reportedly told its customers. Rather than having to carry cash with you, the tourist tax is added to passengers' onboard accounts.

The cruise line will then pay the tax directly to the port authorities. "If you choose to stay onboard and not go ashore, the expense will be automatically removed from your account within 24 hours," the firm added.

In the shoulder seasons (April, May, and October), the tax is lowered to €12 (£10) for visits to Santorini and Mykonos and €4 (£3.43) to other ports. In Winter, when tourism levels are at their lowest, this goes down to €4 (£3.43) and €1 (86p).

Over on the mainland, Greece has implemented an accommodation tax that charges tourists staying overnight. This ranges from €0.50 (43p) per night, per room, to €4 (£3.45) depending on the star-rating of your hotel. For a couple spending a week in a luxury five-star hotel, this adds €28 (£24.13) to their overall hotel costs.

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