Greece starts charging tourist tax on cruises

GREECE on Tuesday began charging a tax on island cruise ships, the latest European effort to tackle soaring visitor numbers to the continent's most popular destinations.

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Cruise ships docking at the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos will pay €20 euros (R413) per passenger.

“In accordance with the law, the tax will be applied in Santorini, Mykonos and other islands in lesser measures,” said a finance ministry spokesperson.

Cruise ships to smaller islands will pay a tax of €€ per passenger, according to the new regulations.

Greece hopes to bring in up to €50m a year with the tax, which will apply during the high tourism season, from June 1 to September 30.

Greece adopted the legislation last year to curb soaring tourist numbers to often-overcrowded destinations, the latest country in Europe to take such measures.

Italian authorities in Venice last year introduced payments for day visitors, who must pay an access fee of five euros ($5.90) on certain days.