Crisis in Athens: Dirt and lack of water scare away tourists

Athens are overloaded with tourists: problems with housing, water and electricity are threatened by the reputation of the city as a tourist direction.

Athens are expected by millions of tourists in 2025, but experts are alarming: the city is approaching critical point Due to overload of networks and infrastructure. A crisis of housing caused by a boom is added to this Airbnbas well as problems with cleanliness, healthcare and lack of green areas, which spoils the impression of tourists.

Last year, the publication Pronews.gr warned about the collapse of infrastructure due to the influx of tourists. The problem is not comparable to Barcelona, ​​but in Athens there is Total infrastructure deficiency. Local residents working in the field of tourism express dissatisfaction, and tourists leave negative reviews about cleanliness, sidewalks, squares and lack of greenery.

In the first quarter of 2025, Athens hotels showed average occupancy at 63.5%, which is 5.2% higher than in 2024. The average price of the number increased to 125 euros (+7.8%), and the income for an affordable number amounted to 79.43 euros (+13.5%), according to data GBR Consulting. However, the overload of the infrastructure remains critical.

Growth of short -term rental

According to the institute Set (Σύνδεσμος ελληνικών τουριστικών επιχειρήσεων, the Association of Greek Travel Enterprises), by the end of March 2025, 28,236 objects were registered in Athens in Athens short -term rentalwhich exceeds 115,500 sleeping seats – more than hotel seats. This makes it almost impossible to rent housing for local residents.

The mayor of Athens Haris Dukas on Economic Forum in Delphi He noted that in 2024 the city accepted 8 million tourists, compared with 2.5 million during the crisis. He emphasized: “There is no problem of revinthism, but areas like posters and monastiraks require special management.”. Dukas proposed limiting the use of real estate for short -term rental in the historical center.

Healthcare, water supply and electricity under the blow

During the tourist season, the athens hospital experience an increased load on Ambulance And primary medical care. There are no systems of servicing foreign tourists: there are no translators and personnel who speak foreign languages, which complicates diagnostics and treatment.

Net water supply Athens suffers from water overrun, especially in tourist areas. In early April 2025, water reserves in reservoirs Ευδαπ (Εταιρεία ύδρευσης και αποχέτευσης πρωτευούσης, a company of water supply and sewage of the capital) – Mordino, Evinos, Marathon – amounted to 651.4 million cubic meters, which is 30% less than in 2024. This is due to the long drought and the growth of summer consumption due to tourism.

The electric network is also under pressure: the massive use of air conditioners in hotels and institutions increases the load. Experts do not exclude Blackauts At prolonged heat or abnormal temperatures, especially if there are technical malfunctions or fires that damage the network.

Source link