Overtourism protests come to Greece as workers demand better pay

Workers in the Greek tourism industry say they are at breaking point, straining under long hours, low wages and not enough colleagues to cover the work.

They are planning protests this week to make their feelings – and demands – heard.

“We are asking for an increase of 12% for the next two years, that is 6% for each year. We are also asking – in 2024 – that the 5-day/40-hour working week also be applied to us,” Giorgos Hotzoglou, President of the Hellenic Federation of Tourism Employees, explains.

Workers can barely survive on their current wages, he says, as they don’t track with inflation.

Public services like water and waste management are also struggling to cope with the added strain of visitors.

Tourists arriving in Greece will be targeted during the protests, with workers handing out leaflets explaining their plight at airports, ports and archaeological sites.

Greece’s tourism is not growing as fast as similar countries

A recent survey by PwC shows that although there has been an increase in the number of tourists arriving in Greece this year, the country’s tourism sector is not growing as fast as in other Mediterranean countries.

“Mediterranean and the Balkan countries as a whole are increasing their share of the international tourism market, which means that tourists prefer this region for their holidays. Looking at our country, compared to other countries, it seems that our share is growing, but not at the same speed,” explains Leonidas Papaioannou, a partner at PwC Greece.

Greece is more than just sea and sun

Greece’s tourism officials say there’s much to discover in Greece beyond Santorini, the island that is ever popular with holidaymakers seking the perfect Instagram snap.

Greece has long been committed to promoting sustainable tourism and tackling the environmental impact of travel.

But for the country, sustainability means more than just preserving its world-famous landscapes. Experts say a different and more comprehensive approach is needed.

“We need to offer experiences that go beyond the traditional “sun and sea” concept, where we currently dominate as an international brand. We also need to enhance our infrastructure and human resources,” says Alexandros Thanou, Director of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

Extending the travel season into autumn and winter and promoting the beauty of mountainous Greece are among the main goals of the tourism industry over the coming years.