A New Chapter for Sustainable Tourism
In January 2026, the Region of the Ionian Islands signed a landmark programmatic agreement with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) to develop a scientifically grounded framework assessing the impacts of tourism on Zakynthos.
The study aims to map, assess, and prioritize the effects of tourism on the island’s natural resources and infrastructure — focusing on both the permanent population’s needs and the surging demands during peak tourist season.
Why This Matters
Zakynthos has been at the center of Europe’s overtourism debate. In 2025, a Which? report named the island the most crowded resort in Europe, with overnight tourist stays outnumbering residents 150 to 1. While tourism remains the economic backbone of the island, the pressure on water resources, energy supply, waste management, and marine ecosystems has reached critical levels.
The new study will examine:
- Water resources — the island’s most strained resource during summer
- Energy consumption — rising demand from tourist accommodation
- Waste management — overburdened during peak months
- Marine ecosystems — including the protected Laganas Bay, critical habitat for Caretta caretta sea turtles
What to Expect
The NTUA team will produce actionable recommendations to help mitigate tourism’s negative impacts while supporting the local economy. Solutions could include visitor caps, promoting lesser-known destinations on the island, expanding environmental protections, and investing in sustainable infrastructure.
For travelers planning their 2026 visit, this signals a positive shift: Zakynthos is actively working to preserve the very beauty that makes it worth visiting.