In the heart of Athens, the narrow streets and archaeological sites are filled with tourists following behind their guides, but for the socialist mayor Haris Doukas, the start of the tourist season risks “overcrowding the city” and the loss of the authenticity of the neighborhoods due to uncontrolled development.

Athens, he declared, cannot function as a “giant hotel”, while insisting on the establishment of rules and restrictions. Last year, the capital of Greece was visited by more than 8 million people, a historical record.

Short-term stays in the popular Plaka neighborhood have doubled since 2018, according to a recent study. The city’s infrastructure, from the electricity grid to the water supply, is facing enormous pressure to cope with its 700,000 residents, plus millions of tourists.

Doukas, elected in 2024 with the support of the opposition Pasok party, has planted more than 3,800 trees and is trying to curb extensive construction in key tourist areas, including the construction of multi-storey structures near the Acropolis. It aims to limit tourist activity in the Plaka area and encourage tourists to move to less crowded neighborhoods.

Also, a proposal to freeze building permits for new hotels, inspired by Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni, which will ban short-term rentals from November 2028, will cancel permits for over 10,000 apartments, so that the city becomes more livable.

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Source: prizrenpost