Limiting Cruise Ship Tourism

This summer Greece begancharging a tax on cruise ships, in an effort to curb soaring tourist numbers in overcrowded destinations. It is part of a trend in European countries that share this growing problem. Cruise ships docking at the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos now pay €20 per passenger, while at smaller islands the tax is €5. These taxes are applied during the high tourism season, from June 1 to September 30. Cruise ship passenger numbers in Greece surged 13.2% last year to 7.9 million, and it is predicted that this trend will continue. These tourists do not help local businesses very much, as the passengers often stay just a few hours and spend little. Many residents also complain about the pollution generated by the ships. The French Riviera resort of Cannes, home of the world's premier film festival, is also joining the growing global backlash against excess tourism. They have imposed “drastic regulations” on cruise ships by cutting in half the number of large ships allowed in its harbour, and limiting the number of passenger visits to 6,000 per day.