Tourism income disparities

Hellenic Statistical Authority data on turnover in accommodation and catering show widening economic inequality between tourist destinations and the rest of the country.

Amidst the debate that has opened about how much and what sort of tourism we need, issues of economic inequality will inevitably have their part.

Turnover from accommodation and catering on the island of Mykonos (area: 86 square kilometers, local population: 10,704), a prime tourist destination, was €504 million in 2023, 2.5% of Greece's total. In the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (area: 14,157 sq.km, population: 562,201), which includes the well-visited island of Thasos, turnover from the same activities was €470 million.

There are greater disparities to be found: The island of Santorini (area: 76 sq.km, population: 15,231) had a turnover of €743.8 million in 2023, 3.7% of the country...