It is expected that this year the number of tourists who have visited the Greek capital will reach 30 million, which is almost three times the total population of the country.
Faced with such a large-scale influx of tourists, the authorities are trying to find a balance between economic benefits and the preservation of ancient cultural heritage sites.
At the foot of the Acropolis, the flow of tourists is continuous, both in low and high season. During the summer peak, almost 16,000 visitors climbed the slopes of the ancient hill every day.
This year, Athens' tourism sector has exceeded all expectations and is expected to bring in more than $18 billion euro. Greece has already become the third most popular tourist destination in the world.
Nevertheless, the rapidly growing mass tourism causes, first of all, concerns about the preservation of ancient monuments.
Merchants on the streets of Athens' popular old tourist district, Plaki, located at the foot of the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, complain of exhaustion, despite high incomes.
"If there is something we want, it's for tourists to return home today," admits an employee of one of the retail shops named Anna.
If earlier Athens was considered mainly as a transit route to the Greek islands, today the high concentration of travelers causes the authorities concern about the preservation of ancient monuments, which are attacked by crowds of tourists.
In 2020, new concrete paths were even built to the Acropolis and a new elevator was opened for people with disabilities.
According to Peter DeBrin, UNESCO's Chief Adviser on Tourism, 16,000 visitors who visit the Acropolis every day are too many.
It is quite obvious that in such a situation, the authorities should take measures to unload World Heritage sites if they want to ensure their safety and prevent the deterioration of tourism practices.
One of the ways to reduce excess tourism can be the online sale of tickets and the introduction of seasonal rates for visiting cultural and historical attractions.
In total, there are eighteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece.
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