Athens authorities intend to introduce legislative restrictions on the development of the tourism industry in the city's central districts, according to The Guardian, citing a statement by the Greek capital's mayor, Haris Doukas.

According to him, Athens will be visited by over 8 million tourists in 2025, out of a permanent population of approximately 700,000. The mayor noted that this ratio creates constant pressure on the city's infrastructure and housing stock.

Doukas emphasized that the city cannot function with unlimited tourist growth and requires clear regulations. He believes short-term rentals have contributed to rising property prices, while dense development near historical sites, including in areas around the Acropolis, is causing protests among residents.

One key measure could be a complete ban on new tourism projects in the Plaka district. The mayor stated that this historic neighborhood has exhausted its capacity to accommodate new hotels, apartments, and similar developments.

At the same time, the city is modernizing its electrical grid, water supply, drainage, and telecommunications infrastructure. However, according to Doukas, the pace of upgrades is not keeping pace with the current load.

Authorities also intend to redirect investment to less congested areas of the city. The mayor expressed his intention to avoid a scenario that, in his opinion, has occurred in several other European cities, where tourist flows have become unmanageable.