Tomato tourism: vacationers bring their own snacks to the beach!”

Tomato tourism: vacationers bring their own snacks to the beach!”

A new form of tourism is causing a stir on the beaches of Greece. The phenomenon of so-called “tomato tourism” has gone viral. Beach visitors, mainly from the Balkans, bring their own food to save costs. This is shown in a recent example from Greece, where a lavishly stocked beach chair with food was photographed, which sparked a lively discussion on social media. Critics interpret this practice as a sign of cheap mass tourism, while supporters praise the resourcefulness and budget consciousness of holidaymakers, as Kosmo reports.

The temperatures on the Greek beaches are currently between 25 and 28 degrees, ideal weather for a visit to the beach. At the same time, the prices for deck chairs are falling more significantly than expected, which increases the appeal for many vacationers. Nevertheless, critics demand that holidaymakers should not forgo visiting restaurants and should demand decent holiday conditions. The discussion about “tomato tourism” reflects deeper societal divides, particularly tolerance of different lifestyles.

Social debates and changes

What is particularly interesting in this context is the fact that Greek tourism and the associated changes in the industry have many facets. A survey on the most popular food in Greek taverns has shown that meat dishes such as pita gyros and souvlaki or moussaka are particularly popular. The total of 350 votes cast confirm the preference for typical Greek dishes, as Griechenland.net notes.

Greece is facing record tourism. In 2023, tourist numbers exceeded the records of previous years, despite challenges such as forest fires and floods. Tourism has an enormous impact on the country's economy: around a fifth of the gross domestic product comes from this industry, which also secures 18% of jobs. By September 2023, the sector generated revenue of around 18 billion euros, with expectations of over 20 billion euros for the entire year, according to Reisereporter.

The Greek government has taken measures to regulate tourism. A time slot system has been introduced at the Acropolis in Athens, limiting visitor numbers to 20,000 per day. In addition, a climate tax will be introduced from 2024 to increase financial resources for reconstruction after natural disasters. At the same time, it is becoming apparent that, despite the boom, many locals can no longer afford to vacation in their own homeland, which is reinforcing the debate about the effects of massive tourism.

The everyday challenges faced by locals and the rising costs of services are making many Greeks think about alternative holiday options. The Greek tourism industry wants to expand its offerings to also promote health tourism and cultural travel, which could be crucial for the country's future.