Greece is facing a critical point regarding its infrastructure on the islands, according to the Handelsblatt, based on the recent report by the National Bank of Greece. Growing tourism demands have pushed transport networks, waste management, and sewage systems to the limit.
“To remain attractive to tourists, significant investments are required,” the report notes, emphasizing that island ports built in the 1960s now serve 65 times more visitors than originally designed.
The German newspaper highlights that tourism is vital for Greece’s economy, acting as a primary driver of growth. In the first eight months of 2025, arrivals increased by 4.1% compared to last year, while tourism revenues rose 12%. Despite this, infrastructure investments remain stagnant, leaving many areas vulnerable.
Waste and Sewage Systems Under Pressure
Particularly worrying is waste management. In Zakynthos, an illegal landfill in a national park contains around 530,000 tons of waste, despite EU sanctions against Greece. Since 2014, the country has paid €74 million for illegal dumps and €75 million for violations related to sewage management, with little actual improvement.
“Zakynthos is not an isolated case,” Handelsblatt notes, underlining the urgent need to modernize infrastructure to prevent environmental disasters.
Hidden Freshwater Reserve in the Corinthian Gulf
Potentially a strategic resource, scientists from the University of Malta discovered large freshwater reserves beneath the seabed of the Corinthian Gulf, according to RND. “Greece is searching for oil and gas, but the real ‘treasure’ may be freshwater,” the report states.
The reserves are estimated at 250 cubic kilometers, enough to cover Greece’s drinking water demand for at least two decades, offering strategic security amid climate change and rising demand.
Balancing Development and Environment Experts warn that exploiting these underwater freshwater reserves must be done cautiously, taking into account the ecological sensitivity of coastal systems. The discovery offers an opportunity to meet island water needs and support tourism infrastructure.
As Greece faces mounting tourism pressure and resource management challenges, strategic investments in ports, waste management, and water systems are more critical than ever.
Source: pagenews.gr