ATHENS – Greece is on a path for another record-busting tourism year that could bring more than 31 million people, but while the country is among the world’s most popular,  foreign visitors have a list of pet peeves about what they don’t like.

And they make them known on social media, everything from X to Instagram, TikTok and other sites where they can air their grievances even while putting plaudits for Greece’s weather, beaches, islands, food, culture and history.

The site In.gr pointed out some of the grouses, chief among them – a worry for the tourism sector in future years – that it’s just freaking hot! Heat waves the last couple of years, which saw record temperatures, left some too wilted to leave their hotels.

In one TikTok video, the site noted that American tourists that are now one of the major markets for Greece and climbing because of more direct flights, had a laundry list of dislikes although there were differences between them.

https://www.in.gr/2024/09/02/go-fun/perierga/tourismos-amerikanoi-touristes-apasfalizoun-ta-pente-xeirotera-pragmata-stin-ellada/

The report gave the Top 5 criticism, beginning with the heat that was so bad that tourists walking hiking trails on some islands – including alone and without enough water or protective equipment, died while doing it.

Next came the tourist shops that the tourists said sell all the same kitsch to tourists who keep buying it and complaining about it before taking it home to show it as souvenirs of their trip. A magnet on a refrigerator perhaps?

While an ice cold beer is welcome in the summer by many, and Greece has some top craft beer companies and local brands – although many have been taken over by multinationals – there was bellyaching about how costly alcohol drinks are.

That’s primarily because they are taxed at 24 percent although imported brands add the cost of getting them to Greece as well, although it was said to be advisable not to drink too much alcohol in the heat.

They also didn’t like how far sites were from each other and the need to rent a car for many who don’t want public transportation or tour packages, which sounds like something that happens in most countries.

And in no surprise to Greeks who park on sidewalks, smoke almost wherever they want and argue with police without repercussions in some cases, tourists said they found Greece incredibly disorganized at times.