One of Greece’s most popular tourist regions is facing a mounting crisis as repeated water and electricity outages strain public services and threaten its reputation as a premier summer destination.
In the resort town of Hanioti, located in the northern peninsula of Halkidiki, visitors are reportedly bathing at night and relieving themselves outdoors due to days-long water shortages, local officials said.
“The situation creates images of shame and offends our dignity,” said Appeals Court President Katerina Papavassiliou in a letter to Kathimerini newspaper. She warned that visitors were abandoning expensive accommodation due to the lack of basic amenities.
The town of 16,000 permanent residents swells to more than 600,000 in the peak summer season, with infrastructure operating at its limits. Local authorities estimate the broader region serves more than 1 million people during July and August.
Frequent electricity outages are compounding the problem by knocking out water pumps and essential services. Local health officials have reported a rise in gastroenteritis cases, while the understaffed Hanioti health center struggles to cope.
“The damage is done,” Papavassiliou said. “The area is now widely seen as unwelcoming.”
A video conference with government ministers is expected in the coming days. Local leaders say critical infrastructure projects, such as the Havria Dam, remain stalled due to lack of funding.