ATHENS – In response to complaints from the major opposition party SYRIZA that high ferry prices are preventing many Greeks from vacationing on the islands, Deputy Migration Minister Sofia Voultepsi suggested that they should consider holidaying on the mainland instead.

During an interview with OPEN TV, Voultepsi acknowledged the issue of high ferry prices—exacerbated by the surge in tourist demand—but offered an alternative. “People can find a way out. I don’t mean that there is no solution, but they can go to their village or to the mainland. All countries have poor people,” she said.

SYRIZA quickly responded, accusing the New Democracy government of effectively declaring that the islands are now off-limits to ordinary Greeks. “Government lawmakers are now officially announcing that Greeks don’t have the right to visit the islands; that they have become a ‘forbidden zone’ for them,” the party stated.

Rising operating and wage costs have kept ferry ticket prices high, making them unaffordable for many Greeks who wish to travel to the islands this summer, leaving them with few options beyond their mainland villages or nearby destinations.

Earlier, SYRIZA had warned that “the very high prices of ferry tickets amount to another financial ‘noose’ around the necks of holidaymakers, professionals, and island residents,” accusing the government of prioritizing wealthy tourists over ordinary citizens.

The party criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government for “happily counting tax revenues from VAT (Value Added Tax) and pursuing a hollow communications policy,” while ignoring the financial struggles of many Greeks.

“The truth is that the government is stubbornly refusing to reduce the high rate of VAT on tickets, which is 24 percent, in order to maintain its excessive tax revenue, while allowing the companies in the industry to earn whatever profits they want, regardless of their real costs,” SYRIZA added.

The party had also submitted a parliamentary question in May, urging the responsible ministers to intervene and control ticket prices to ensure that middle-income earners could afford to visit the Greek islands this summer.

“Will the government continue comfortably lounging on its political ‘sunbed’ or will it take measures to reduce ferry tickets and crack down on profiteering?” SYRIZA asked, but did not receive a response.

In July, MEGA TV reported that ferry tickets had become unaffordable for many households, with prices rising by 38.1 percent over the past five years, compared to the European Union average increase of just 10.5 percent.

Even inter-island travel has become nearly prohibitive, preventing island residents from visiting other islands or the mainland. A trip from Santorini to Ios—a two-hour voyage of 33 miles—can cost as much as 64.70 euros ($70.60) if only one ferry line is operating, according to To Vima.

SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis called on Prime Minister Mitsotakis to intervene, noting that the Prime Minister had previously stated that his government would “act at the time it considers right” regarding ferry fares.

Two shipping lines, which hold a near monopoly on ferry services, have raised ticket prices dramatically over the past year, capitalizing on the record number of tourists flooding the islands.

In a social media post, Kasselakis shared a video of a government spokesperson addressing the issue at a press briefing, pointing out that weeks had passed since the statement was made without any action.

Kasselakis criticized Mitsotakis for being aware of the price-gouging but not responding, even after Voultepsi’s suggestion that people should holiday on the mainland if they cannot afford the ferry fares.

“The Prime Minister does not judge that this action for ferry fares should happen now, in August, when people want to go on holiday but cannot, but…in September. This is after all what—by order of the Prime Minister—the Shipping Minister stated,” Kasselakis said.

He urged Mitsotakis to “personally intervene” rather than hide behind his ministers, suggesting that the Prime Minister has the means but lacks the will to take decisive action.

“Food-fuel-ferry tickets are links on the same chain…of an indifferent (or self-serving?) Prime Minister who stands by and watches the prices rise, only to then come along and ‘scold’ over high prices generally, saying that the country is not a Banana Republic,” Kasselakis concluded.