Italy Partners with Greece, Venice, and Bali to Combat Overtourism through New Tourist Taxes
In an unprecedented global collaboration aimed at addressing the escalating issue of overtourism, Italy has joined forces with Greece, Venice, and Bali by implementing powerful new tourist taxes designed to protect their iconic destinations. This concerted effort comes in response to the mounting strain mass tourism places on cultural landmarks, fragile ecosystems, and local communities, urging a shift towards sustainable and responsible tourism practices.
Tackling Overtourism: A Joint Global Initiative
Over the past years, popular tourist hotspots around the world have grappled with the negative consequences of excessive visitor numbers—ranging from environmental degradation to the loss of cultural authenticity and stress on public infrastructure. Recognizing these challenges, Italy, Greece, Venice, and Bali are among the pioneering destinations to introduce financially targeted measures that aim to regulate tourist flows while generating revenue for conservation and infrastructure enhancement.
Greece’s Strategic Implementation of Tourism Taxes
Greece has taken decisive action in 2025 by introducing a new tourist tax specifically targeting cruise passengers arriving at its most heavily visited islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini. The strategy comes as a response to a surge in visitors—7.9 million cruise passengers in 2024 alone, marking a 13% increase from the prior year—that threatens the islands’ sustainability.
The newly implemented disembarkation fees are set at €20 per passenger on Mykonos and Santorini, and €5 on other popular islands including Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Zakynthos. To accommodate seasonal tourism variations, fees will be reduced after September 30, with charges on Santorini and Mykonos lowered to €12 and €3 on other islands during the off-peak months of October to May. These charges aim to balance tourism activity, protect fragile ecosystems, and provide crucial funding for local conservation efforts and infrastructure improvements.
Venice and Italy’s Approach to Managing Tourist Influx
Similarly, Italy has introduced a €10 day-trip fee specifically aimed at visitors to Venice who do not stay overnight. Venice, renowned for its historical architecture and distinctive waterways, has long battled the pressures of overcrowding and environmental wear resulting from day-trippers and mass tourism. This new fee intends to curb excessive day visits, encouraging longer stays that are more economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable.
Bali’s Contribution to Sustainable Tourism
Bali, a magnet for international tourists drawn to its vibrant culture and scenic beauty, has also embraced the initiative by instituting visitor levies. These fees are integral to local government efforts to support sustainability programs, protect natural resources, and maintain the island’s cultural integrity amid rising tourist numbers.
A Growing Global Trend
Beyond these highlighted destinations, many other countries are following suit. Mexico has enacted a $5 fee for cruise passengers, with plans to increase it to $21 by 2028, reflecting wider global efforts to discourage excessive tourist numbers and encourage more responsible visitation practices worldwide.
As overtourism becomes an increasingly pressing concern, these measures represent a paradigm shift in how governments manage and sustain their tourism industries. By imposing tourist taxes, these destinations not only seek to limit the negative impact of mass tourism but also aim to distribute its benefits more equitably across local communities and safeguard their treasured cultural and natural heritage for generations to come.
Looking Forward
Tourists visiting any of these iconic locations should be prepared for the new fees and recognize their role in supporting sustainable tourism initiatives. These taxes reflect a commitment by Italy, Greece, Venice, Bali, and other destinations to preserve their unique appeal while fostering an environment where tourism can thrive without compromising local quality of life or ecosystem health.
This historic alliance among some of the world’s most cherished travel destinations signals a promising step forward in the global fight against overtourism, championing a future where travel and conservation go hand in hand.
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