Greeks priced out amid tourism boom

Rising costs in ferries and lodging collide with stagnant wages, leaving many Greeks unable to take a summer holiday.

Greeks priced out as tourism boom inflates holiday costs

From the Piraeus ferry terminal a line snakes toward ferries bound for the Argo-Saronic isles as staff report a clear slowdown in tickets. Tassos Papadopoulos says sales are down about 50 percent compared with last year, a sign that budget travel is shrinking even near Athens. The same pattern shows up on the islands: shores that used to fill early in the day now have empty loungers and quiet watersports shops.

Eurostat data and local surveys frame the broader picture. In 2024 Greece drew 36 million travelers, yet prices for ferries and accommodation have surged while wages stayed flat. A family of four with a car can expect around 450 euros for ferry tickets alone, and the average monthly wage remains around 1,342 euros. On Amorgos and other distant islands, the gap between demand and what people can pay has widened, pushing many to shorten or skip holidays. Ismini Balale, a 28 year old retail worker earning 850 euros a month, says she cannot afford 200-euro-a-night rooms, and friends face the same limits. The government has pledged relief measures to ease taxes and lift wages toward 1,500 euros a month by 2027, but critics argue relief may take time to reach households.

The episode reveals a paradox at the heart of Greece’s economic recovery. Tourism brings in billions and supports one in five jobs, yet the gains do not flow evenly to the people who live there. The cost of living and the price of a holiday have risen faster than wages, narrowing a precious cultural window that defined many summers. If the state does not deploy targeted relief quickly, the country risks hollowing out its own social contract: a population that sustains a booming industry but cannot afford to participate in its benefits.

Policy responses will matter here. Short-term subsidies for ferry fares and energy bills could protect household budgets, while longer-term reforms should focus on wage growth and price stability. The balance between supporting a tourism-heavy economy and protecting residents from rising living costs will test the credibility of official promises and shape how Greeks view the idea of a shared national season of leisure.

Highlights

As Greece leans on visitors, it must shield its own people from paying the price.