An interesting debate on the issue of over -tourism, with the participation of mayors from 3 European cities, took place at the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, which is held from April 9 to April 12 in Delphi.

As the Mayor of Athens noted, Haris Doukas, “in 2024 Athens welcomed 8 million tourists, compared to the 2.5 million tourists welcomed during the crisis. We could say that this number is too large. But, as the figures show, Athens is not facing a problem of over -tourism. It does not, however, cease to be a city with areas vulnerable to excessive tourism, such as Plaka and Monastiraki, which require special handling. We have to act by facing Athens like Barcelona. That is, to deal with it, as if it has already crossed the red line. “

Referring to the special treatment of certain neighborhoods, he was example for the ban on the use of real estate for short -term leasing in areas of the historic center of Athens.

“The Municipal Authority of Athens is not able to decide on its own for what concerns it, as in the cities of Europe. We make proposals to the government, but that is what it decides and legislates. I think, especially on the issue of short -term lease, more cooperation requires, “he said.

Porto Mayor, Rui Moreira, a city that welcomed more than 7 million visitors in 2024, defined the tourism phenomenon that disturb the residents of a city as “eventually, with neighborhoods turning into Disneyland, where you see only tourists.”

The mayor of the Portuguese city said he did not think that this phenomenon has occurred in Porto. This contributed to precautionary measures that came into force, such as the tourist tax utilized both to improve infrastructure and for the purchase of real estate. In this way, the housing problem for younger generations is also addressed. “Another initiative we took is the ban on tourist buses from the city center,” he commented.

Charalambos Prontzos, Mayor of Nicosia stressed that “in Nicosia we are about where Athens was in 2015, when it began to become a tourism pole. Right now tourism is only 6% of overnight stays in our city, but the goal is to double tourism in a way that will not repeat mistakes that have been made elsewhere. Always taking into account the division of the city that is an obstacle, but unfortunately at the same time interesting for tourists. Our plan is, in addition to the cultural and historical elements of Nicosia, to highlight it both as a sustainable destination and as a conference tourism center, “Mr Prontzos said. Finally, he added that the Nicosia Municipal Authority plans to use real estate for cultural and social housing purposes.

At this point, Haris Doukas commented exactly the possibility of municipalities in other countries to take measures, utilizing the legislative framework and resources. “The most important thing is for the municipality to be able to decide on its things. To have the power. ”