Greece reassures Romanian tourists amid new mass tourism restrictions

Greek officials are working to alleviate concerns among Romanian tourists regarding new regulations designed to curb mass tourism in popular destinations. Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gkioulekas, assured visitors that holidays in Greece remain pleasant and accessible, even with the implemented measures.

Speaking at an event in Bucharest, Gkioulekas explained that the new rules are intended to preserve Greece's cultural heritage and foster a more sustainable tourism model. "These rules are made to help us preserve our cultural heritage, to protect both children and visitors. You can come to Greece and, by respecting these rules, you will continue to enjoy very beautiful holidays," he stated. He also emphasized the strong relationship between Greece and Romania, expressing particular appreciation for Romanian tourists and their respect for Greek cultural sites.

“

These rules are made to help us preserve our cultural heritage, to protect both children and visitors. You can come to Greece and, by respecting these rules, you will continue to enjoy very beautiful holidays.

The Greek government introduced a package of measures on May 12 to reduce pressure on heavily frequented tourist spots, following a year that saw nearly 38 million visitors. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni highlighted the goal of transitioning to a sustainable tourism model with minimal environmental and infrastructural impact. These measures include stricter construction limitations, especially on islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Kos, with new hotels facing capacity limits and real estate developments undergoing careful regulation.

Additionally, authorities are considering novel restrictions, such as prohibiting thin-heeled shoes at archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, to protect ancient marble surfaces. Islands like Santorini and Mykonos frequently experience overcrowding, water shortages, and traffic congestion during peak season, issues that residents have raised for years. Projections estimate that the number of tourists could reach 55 million by 2040, with tourism revenues potentially increasing to 36 billion euros, underscoring the need for sustainable management strategies.

“

We see with how much respect and how much love our Romanian friends visit the holy places in Greece.