Greece, renowned for its stunning islands and rich summer traditions, has been dubbed by The Guardian as “Europe’s Thailand”. The reason? While foreign visitors enjoy dream vacations, for many Greeks, going to the beach has become increasingly out of reach.
Recent surveys by EEKE (Hellenic Consumer Workers’ Union) and Eurostat indicate that approximately one in two Greeks did not go on holiday this year, a rate 19% higher than the EU average.
Scenes from the islands and nearby getaways
It’s 5 p.m., and Aegina, a favorite destination for Athenians, appears unusually quiet. Ticket operator Tasos Papadopoulos notes: “It seems people aren’t traveling. Ticket sales have dropped by around 50%.”
The decline in visitors is evident across other regions as well: sunbeds remain empty, water sports businesses report falling revenue, and domestic tourists are mostly confined to affordable, nearby excursions.
The cost of vacations versus low purchasing power
With the average Greek salary at €1,342 per month, the expenses of a family trip are prohibitive: “€450 for ferry tickets with a car for a family of four is simply unaffordable,” says EEKE financial advisor Takis Kalofonos.
Vacation days have also dwindled, often falling below one week, making remote islands a distant dream for the middle class.
28-year-old Ismini Balali shares her struggle: “I can’t afford €200 per night for a hotel. All my friends are in the same position, and we all have postgraduate degrees. This summer, we’ll just take a few days off here and there.”
Tourism thrives, locals are left behind
Despite the booming tourism sector – 36 million visitors in 2024 generating €21.7 billion – Greeks increasingly cannot enjoy their own islands. Rising prices, stagnant wages, and high inflation have created a suffocating economic environment for local citizens.
Professor Christos Pitelis observes: “Reduced incomes make this experience simply unaffordable for many.”
The erosion of traditional summer holidays
The traditional August getaway has largely been reduced to a few days spent with family or friends in mainland villages. Scenes in Athens – crowded bars, open-air cinemas, and public transport at capacity – reflect the trapped locals, while foreigners indulge in the country’s natural beauty.
As Aris Apikian, a shop employee in central Athens, remarks: “While foreigners live their dreams in Greece, we experience the harsh reality of what’s not working… we Greeks are the real losers.”
Greece remains one of the world’s top travel destinations, but rising living costs and income inequality have turned the traditional Greek holiday into a luxury many citizens can no longer afford. This summer leaves countless Greeks watching tourism flourish around them, while their own experiences are limited to small, budget-friendly escapes close to home.
Source: pagenews.gr