Can Greece’s Islands Survive Their Own Popularity?

Greece’s islands, long the much-coveted crown jewels of Mediterranean tourism, are facing a sobering question: how much success can they sustain?

A new report from the National Bank of Greece warns that the country’s island destinations — home to nearly half of all foreign visitors — are reaching their limits. After years of record-breaking growth, the central bank says the next decade must mark a strategic turn: from ever-rising arrivals to smarter, steadier, and more sustainable tourism.

Over the past 15 years, the islands have doubled their arrivals to roughly 16 million visitors in 2024, accounting for 11 percent of all global island tourism. Seven Greek islands — including Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu — now rank among the 30 most popular worldwide, alongside names like Bali, Hawaii, and Phuket.