Greece starts charging tourist tax on cruises

Athens: Greece on Tuesday began charging a tax on island cruise ships, the latest European effort to tackle soaring visitor numbers to the continent s...

Athens: 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.

Cruise ships docking at the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos will pay 20 euros per passenger starting on Tuesday.

"In accordance with the law, the tax will be applied in Santorini, Mykonos and other islands in lesser measures," the Greek finance ministry told AFP.

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

Greece adopted the legislation, which applies during the high summer season, last year in an effort to curb soaring tourist numbers to its most popular destinations, the latest country in Europe to take such measures.