Cruise lines visiting any of the Greek islands will have to pay a passenger cruise tax from 1 July.
The tax will be highest for passengers disembarking on the islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
In a statement, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) said the levy will ‘help support the infrastructure of Greece’s most visited islands and ensure that local communities benefit more directly from cruise tourism’.
It added that the tax ‘reflects the need for a more sustainable balance between visitor numbers and the capacity of popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos, while also helping to safeguard the quality of the visitor experience’.
During the high season, from July to the end of September, the tax will be €20 (about £17) per passenger disembarking in Santorini (pictured above) and Mykonos.
It will be €5 (approximately £4.20) per passenger in other Greek ports.
In mid-season and low-season, the fee drops to €12 and €3.
It is not yet clear how the tax will be collected and whether it will be paid directly by the cruise lines or passengers. Travel Gossip is waiting for clarification from the Greek authorities, via the GNTO.
