Addressing Water Scarcity in Over-Touristed Islands and Promoting Sustainable Water Resource Management.

We come from Kremasti, a large village on the island of Rhodes in Greece. 

During the summer, running water in our houses is  frequently cut off or flows with low pressure. 

That’s when we realize that the high season has begun. And during the high season, water is scarce. Throughout the Summer we cannot have a shower or clean our houses whenever we want to.

Because the water goes straight to the hotels. There is an explanation for that.

Tourists have priority. 

Water scarity is an increasingly critical issue for many Greek islands suffering from over-tourism. The growing demand for water by the tourism sector, combined with limited freshwater resources, threatens the sustainable development of these regions. The lack of a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable use of water exacerbates this problem, making the urgent implementation of effective solutions necessary.

The situation calls for immediate action to ensure that water is used efficiently and sustainably, safeguarding both the natural environment and local communities. It is vital to promote practices that balance the needs of the tourism industry with the long-term health of local ecosystems.

Proposes

Imposition of a Tax on Excessive Water Consumption: Introduce a tax on water consumption that exceeds a predetermined sustainable threshold, with the aim of encouraging water conservation and responsible usage. This tax would apply to businesses in the tourism sector that use water beyond the limits considered viable for the region.
Redistribution of Tax Revenues for Sustainable Infrastructure: The revenues generated from the tax should be allocated to the development of water-saving and recycling infrastructure, as well as to the enhancement of desalination technologies and rainwater harvesting systems.
Promotion of Water Recycling and Reuse: Adopt water recycling technologies and develop reuse programs for irrigation and cleaning purposes in tourist facilities, reducing the pressure on natural water resources.
Strengthening Incentives for Sustainable Water Usage: Provide incentives such as subsidies or tax breaks for businesses that implement water-saving technologies or participate in water recycling and reuse programs.
Education and Awareness Campaigns for Tourists: Launch awareness campaigns to encourage tourists to limit their water consumption and adopt water-saving practices during their stay, thereby alleviating the pressure on local water resources.
Creation of a Water Consumption Monitoring System: Install real-time monitoring systems to track and analyze water consumption, allowing for the identification of overuse areas and the immediate implementation of corrective measures.
Involvement of Local Communities: Enhance the participation of local communities in water conservation initiatives, by providing information and mobilizing residents to collaborate with tourists in protecting water resources, fostering a collective approach to sustainable water use.
Collaboration with the Private Sector: Strengthen collaboration with tourism industry stakeholders to implement sustainable water practices, by offering incentives or grants for the adoption of water-saving and recycling technologies.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Policies: Establish mechanisms for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of water-saving policies, ensuring that strategies remain adaptable and efficient in meeting the needs of local communities and ecosystems.

The sustainable management of water resources is essential not only for the preservation of the environment but also for the economic stability and social wellbeing of these regions. We urge local authorities, businesses, and citizens to take immediate action and work together to implement these proposals to ensure the long-term sustainability of our islands.

We aim 

• to highlight the consequences of overtourism
• to propose solutions and strategies that will allow Rhodes to continue to have tourism without endangering its natural and cultural capital
• a re-prioritization of the goals and values ​​of the entire society

We aim at

• diversification of economic activities (e.g. agriculture, industry, technology) to reduce dependence on tourism
• an effort to strengthen alternative sectors (agricultural production, renewable energy, sources or handicrafts) in order to increase resilience of the local economy
• to ensure a better life Quality for the residents and the protection of the unique characteristics of the island.