One of Greece’s most popular holiday destinations is experiencing a big drop in tourist numbers this year.
Mykonos Island PHOTO Shutterstock
Mykonos faces new challenges this tourist season. According to recent data, despite hopes for a successful year, the island has difficulties that can negatively affect the visit of travelers.
High holiday costs make Mykonos a not very welcoming destination because, although we are at the peak of the summer season, the occupancy rates of luxury accommodation units are much lower compared to previous years, writes the tanea.gr newspaper.
Since last year, many opinions have been expressed as to the reason for this downward trend in Mykonos. Images of tourist crowds flooding social media and negative reports of sky-high prices for accommodation and catering played a big role.
The wave spread last year, with TikTok users comparing the crowds on the island during the summer to a visit to Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.
As a result, rental prices for luxury villas in Mykonos have decreased this season compared to last year.
Accommodation prices have collapsed
For example, a newly built one-bedroom villa with a brand new private pool, private outdoor Jacuzzi and stunning views of Psarros Bay rents for €231 per night, up from €900 last year.
In Kluvas area near Ftelia beach for a 56 sqm luxury one bedroom apartment with private outdoor pool, terrace with sunbeds and outdoor dining area, living room with well equipped kitchen and dining area and high-quality toiletries, the rental price is 238 euros per night.
According to people familiar with the market, a five-bedroom villa that was renting for €2,000 a night last year can be had for €500 a night this year if you phone the owner.
Mykonos is on a negative trajectory, according to scheduled flight seat data published by INSETE’s Airdata Tracker.
Thus, the island faces a 10.4% decrease in the number of airline seats in 2024 compared to 2023 and this, while in 2023 the decrease in the number of arrivals at Mykonos airport in the previous year was -8 .7% (to 743,154 travelers) and -5.2% (546,311), respectively.
Thus, last year, Mykonos is one of the regions that, in 2023, recorded a 10.9% decrease in turnover in the field of accommodation.
At the same time, travel circles report that the booking rate of boutique hotels and villas for Mykonos is lower than last year, at -7% since the beginning of the year.
