The cold reality. The Wales tax hikes sounded like a possible solution but you're right -- that won't bring back the lost restaurants or bakeries, etc. And it obviously is becoming a world-wide phenomenon.
This is happening on the Greek island I was born and now live (6 months of the year).
Like you, Hospitality has been my life. I have lived and worked across 3 Continents and then came back to the island to create a hospitality business.
I’m on both sides of the coin and have witnessed multiple, derelict or not houses, being sold over the past 20-30 yrs to mostly non-Greeks, simply because Greeks don’t have the purchasing power to buy homes anymore!
The new owners come for 2weeks of the year for their holidays and the rest of the year these newly built, smartened up houses sit either empty or rented through Airbnb!
They compete alongside my properties, without having to pay the taxes I pay to the Government or the local authorities!
If you ask the local real estate offices or the mayor’s office, they will call this ‘Progress’ and Modern development. They are clueless and refuse to even contemplate the consequences this so called Progress has brought.
Whole neighbourhoods being deserted for most of the year, businesses closed, professionals that come to live and work on the island not being able to rent homes for their families ,(as these are only available for 6 months of the year and at astronomical prices), and everything else you mention in your post.
It’s a real threat and the ppl in power only see monetisation! I see it as a vicious circle that is really hard to break without hurting either sides beyond repair. It’s the kind of danger that requires very surgical tactics and ppl that can make a difference in the local community without prioritising their own pockets first, but, this is not the kind of utopia we’ll come across anytime soon!
Sure, anytime! I think we’ll find a lot of common ground!
I live in Athens the other half of the year, just because I can’t stand the island being so deserted and quiet during the winter months. Although I’ve also been through phases in my life that I really embraced the calmness and quietness too!! 😉
As the tourists move into destinations they do feel the change in the community and try to create a sense of place that they valued. Their attempts to halt the trend toward the loss of community is referred to as "the last settlers syndrome". In destination planning this is a tough nut to crack.
Last settlers syndrome, I hadn’t put that name to it but I’ve watched it play out in real time for decades. The irony is the settlers rarely see themselves in it. Thanks for adding that frame.
This is the ultimate economic irony: the more 'valuable' the real estate becomes to outsiders, the less 'livable' it becomes for the people who actually make the place worth visiting. It’s a literal 'No Money, No Honey' trap. We're spending millions to buy into a lifestyle that our very presence is helping to dismantle. Ok, I'm stepping off my soap-box! hehe
Funny thing is, when you replace locals with tourists, you end up with an empty shell that looks pretty but feels lifeless. It’s like getting a fancy cake that’s just icing with no substance underneath.
The cold reality. The Wales tax hikes sounded like a possible solution but you're right -- that won't bring back the lost restaurants or bakeries, etc. And it obviously is becoming a world-wide phenomenon.
You and I have both seen this. And it is a hard thing for any town to manage.
This is happening on the Greek island I was born and now live (6 months of the year).
Like you, Hospitality has been my life. I have lived and worked across 3 Continents and then came back to the island to create a hospitality business.
I’m on both sides of the coin and have witnessed multiple, derelict or not houses, being sold over the past 20-30 yrs to mostly non-Greeks, simply because Greeks don’t have the purchasing power to buy homes anymore!
The new owners come for 2weeks of the year for their holidays and the rest of the year these newly built, smartened up houses sit either empty or rented through Airbnb!
They compete alongside my properties, without having to pay the taxes I pay to the Government or the local authorities!
If you ask the local real estate offices or the mayor’s office, they will call this ‘Progress’ and Modern development. They are clueless and refuse to even contemplate the consequences this so called Progress has brought.
Whole neighbourhoods being deserted for most of the year, businesses closed, professionals that come to live and work on the island not being able to rent homes for their families ,(as these are only available for 6 months of the year and at astronomical prices), and everything else you mention in your post.
It’s a real threat and the ppl in power only see monetisation! I see it as a vicious circle that is really hard to break without hurting either sides beyond repair. It’s the kind of danger that requires very surgical tactics and ppl that can make a difference in the local community without prioritising their own pockets first, but, this is not the kind of utopia we’ll come across anytime soon!
Tony I love your comment. I was actually just in Greece 🇬🇷. Where do you live the other 6 months?
I’d love to. Chat sometime and learn more about your life. I am going to write an article about my experience in Greece in fact.
I hope your experience in Greece was great?!
Loved it. The people were amazing
Sure, anytime! I think we’ll find a lot of common ground!
I live in Athens the other half of the year, just because I can’t stand the island being so deserted and quiet during the winter months. Although I’ve also been through phases in my life that I really embraced the calmness and quietness too!! 😉
I’m still traveling, so once I get home, let’s zoom
Great! New here and still figuring my way around! Just let me know, I’d love too!
As the tourists move into destinations they do feel the change in the community and try to create a sense of place that they valued. Their attempts to halt the trend toward the loss of community is referred to as "the last settlers syndrome". In destination planning this is a tough nut to crack.
Last settlers syndrome, I hadn’t put that name to it but I’ve watched it play out in real time for decades. The irony is the settlers rarely see themselves in it. Thanks for adding that frame.
The P1t AI Protocol Substack was published this morning. Check it out.
This is the ultimate economic irony: the more 'valuable' the real estate becomes to outsiders, the less 'livable' it becomes for the people who actually make the place worth visiting. It’s a literal 'No Money, No Honey' trap. We're spending millions to buy into a lifestyle that our very presence is helping to dismantle. Ok, I'm stepping off my soap-box! hehe
Funny thing is, when you replace locals with tourists, you end up with an empty shell that looks pretty but feels lifeless. It’s like getting a fancy cake that’s just icing with no substance underneath.
Oh @barryjmcdonald I love the cake analogy!
Thanks, Kay : )
Excellent reflection. I feel the loss