There are more than four tourist beds per every permanent resident on several Greek islands, according to a new study by the University of the Aegean’s Sustainable Tourism Observatory, highlighting mounting pressure on limited land, infrastructure and natural resources.
The report, to be presented Thursday at the offices of the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage in Athens, examined the sustainability of tourism through economic, social and environmental indicators.
Including hotels and short-term rentals, Mykonos, Santorini and Koufonisi record more than four beds per resident. Six islands exceed three beds per resident and 13 surpass two. When vacation homes are also counted, the figures rise sharply. Serifos records eight beds per resident, followed by Schinoussa with 6.8, Antiparos with 6.4 and Kastos with six. Irakleia, Kythnos, Kea, Sikinos, Mykonos and Ammouliani exceed five beds per resident.
The study also measured tourism density. Santorini recorded 863.4 beds per square kilometer, ahead of Mykonos with 611.4 and Skiathos with 381.5. Koufonisi, Paxoi, Kos and Poros also exceeded 200 beds per square kilometer. Rhodes, despite having the largest absolute number of tourist beds at 182,629, recorded 100.6 beds per square kilometer because of its larger size.
The report noted that only 11 islands registered population growth over the past decade, while tourism-heavy islands including Corfu and Thasos saw some of the steepest declines. It concluded that growing tourist flows expand the economy, but do not necessarily strengthen development or social cohesion.
Consultations on five Ionian and six Aegean islands found concern among residents. More than 60% of respondents said there was no stable plan to address local problems or defend legality and the public interest. Many acknowledged incomes and employment from tourism, but believed revenues benefited business owners elsewhere.
