British newspaper calls Greece 'Europe's Thailand'

Turkish citizens aren't alone in being unable to vacation in their own country due to exorbitant prices and low incomes. In neighboring Greece, people are also unable to vacation for similar reasons. Research shows that one in two Greek citizens will not be able to go on vacation this year; low wages and rising prices are making vacations a dream for Greeks.

The Guardian's report, titled "' Europe's Thailand': Foreigners dream of holidays in Greece, but locals can't because of the prices ," highlights the following:

"Last year these queues were much longer," says Tassos Papadopoulos , who issues tickets for passengers heading to the Saronic Gulf islands at a counter opposite the ferries docked in Piraeus . "People don't seem to be travelling anymore. Traffic is heavy on weekends, but ticket sales are down 50 percent."

Even places that are cheaper than other places are empty

Visible from the foot of the Acropolis , the Argo-Saronic islands have always been popular due to their proximity to Athens . In 2024, Aegina attracted over 2 million visitors, most of them Greeks who chose the island for its affordable ferry fares.

"Last August , all the sunbeds were full by 10am," says Konstantinos Tsantas, owner of a water sports business in Aegina . "This year, they're empty. My colleagues across the country say the same thing: business is down. Besides, Aegina is relatively cheap compared to other places."

"The Cyclades Islands are now a dream for many Greeks"

The year 2025 will be remembered as the year Greeks abandoned their annual seaside pilgrimage. The carefree joy of summer, the subject of songs, poems, and films, was lost to the struggle to make ends meet for many.

"EEKE's research shows that one in two Greeks won't be able to take a holiday this year," says Takis Kalofonos, chief financial advisor at the Working Consumers Association ( EEKE ). "Ten years ago, people took 20-30 days off; this summer, it's less than a week. The Cyclades are now a dream for many Greeks. If a family were to drive to the island, the ticket alone would cost 450 euros; the average monthly salary is 1,342 euros."

The big summer holiday, shaped around the religious festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15, now consists of visiting family and friends in the villages for many people.

“We all have master's degrees, but we can't take a few days off.”

"I'd love to spend time in Amorgos, but transportation is impossible," says 28-year-old Ismini Balale. Balale, who works in the retail sector on a monthly salary of 850 euros, says, "I can't afford a room for 200 euros a night. All my friends are in the same situation. We all have master's degrees, but we can't even take a few days off for summer."

The rate of people unable to afford holidays in Greece is above the EU average.

The European Statistics Office ( Eurostat ) also confirms EEKE's findings: "46% of Greeks couldn't afford a week's holiday last year. This is 19% higher than the EU average."

Athens is experiencing unseen scenes in August: public transport is congested and traffic in the city centre is heavy. Open-air cinemas, bars, and fast-food joints are overflowing with young people and crowds unable to take their vacations.

"They say the country's economy is recovering, but these numbers have no impact on people like us. The government doesn't really care," says Ismini Balale .

The great paradox in Greece

Greece 's perfect holiday destination is also the reason Greeks are missing out on it. So, there's a paradox. Last year, 36 million visitors—almost four times the population—made Greece one of the world's top 10 destinations. The sector generated €21.7 billion in revenue by 2024 and helped reduce the country's debt burden from 180 percent of GDP to 153.6 percent.

However, tourism's success has led to rising prices. While wages have stagnated, inflation has already surpassed the EU average. Many Greeks find it cheaper to travel abroad if they can save. A June Alco survey cited rising accommodation costs, ferry tickets, and restaurant prices as the biggest obstacles to travel.

“While foreigners enjoy the beauty of the country”

“Greeks are now being excluded from the August holiday, a cultural and religious tradition,” says Prof. Christos Pitelis of the University of Southampton . “This experience has become out of reach for many due to dwindling incomes.”

The middle class has been hit hardest by the austerity measures that have been the price of the crisis. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has promised tax cuts and a rise in the average salary to 1,500 euros by 2027. But for Greeks, the paradox is clear: "While foreigners are enjoying the beauty of our country, we are being deprived of holidays in our own country."

" We're the Thailand of Europe ; we provide services so others can have holidays," says Aris Apikian, who works in a carpet shop in Athens . "Foreigners live their dreams here, but we struggle with bills and the high cost of living. If we can't even afford a week's vacation, it turns out we Greeks are the real losers."