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Politics
Apr 25, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas Vows to Halt Overtourism as City Faces ‘Hotel’ Crisis

AI Summary
Athens’ new socialist mayor, Haris Doukas, warns the capital is turning into a giant hotel and is preparing strict limits on new tourist‑related development. With 8 million visitors last year and short‑term rentals in historic districts more than doubling, the city faces soaring rents, strained infrastructure and a housing crunch.

The Mayor’s Call to Stop Athens from Becoming a Giant Hotel

Haris Doukas, elected in 2024, told the Guardian that Athens “cannot operate as if it were a giant hotel.” He announced a plan to use a pending tourism land‑use bill to ban new tourist‑focused businesses in the historic centre, aiming to protect residents’ quality of life.

Tourist Surge and Infrastructure Strain: Numbers Behind the Crisis

  • More than 8 million visitors arrived in Athens in 2025, a record for the city.
  • Short‑term rentals in the Plaka district have more than doubled since 2018.
  • The municipality serves 700,000 residents while accommodating the tourist influx.

Doukas highlighted ongoing upgrades – new electricity grids, water systems, drainage and 5G networks – to cope with the pressure.

Economic and Housing Impact: Rising Rents, Short‑Term Rentals, and Public Services

  • Property rents have surged, pricing many locals out of historic neighbourhoods.
  • Short‑term rentals reduce the stock of affordable long‑term housing, exacerbating a housing crisis.
  • Under Doukas, the city has planted an estimated 3,855 trees across its 15 sq mile (39 sq km) area.

Policy Pushback and Regional Comparisons: From Barcelona to EU Housing Action

The mayor’s proposal has found unexpected allies, including Evgenios Vassilikos, head of the hoteliers’ association, who cites Barcelona’s moratorium on new hotel licences since 2017. Both Athens and Barcelona are part of a 15‑city European housing action plan urging the EU to address the housing‑tourism clash.

What Comes Next? Potential Legislation and the Future of Athens’ City Centre

Doukas aims to embed a blanket ban on new tourist‑related businesses in law, potentially freezing hotel construction permits and curbing short‑term rentals. If passed, the legislation could redirect investment to less‑congested districts, preserve historic authenticity, and set a precedent for other overtouristed capitals.