As part of a consultation on the "Special Urban Plan" the local authorities stressed there is a risk of altering the character of the island. At the same time they called for a drastic restriction on the scale of tourist structures.
Intense reactions expressed in Naxos City Council and Small Cyclades at the meeting of 11 March 2026 in the context of the consultation on the preparation of the study «Special Urban Plan (E.P.S.) of the islands Koufonesion, Iraklias, Schinoussa and Donousa».
In particular, the town planning framework and construction conditions were found, something central to the development of large hotel units in Koufonissia. In this the local authorities stood "Toward" As they stressed There is a risk of deterioration in the character of the island. At the same time they requested drastic limitation of the scale of tourist structures, to keep his character and the distance from other development models such as Mykonos.
Attributes Deputy Mayor Koufonision Antonis Koveos said that "in accordance with the objectives of the EPC the development model promoted for Koufonissia sets tourism at its core; trying to limit its mass version, adopts the modernisation of the existing tourist product and its adaptation to tourism of special incentives such as agrotourism. I would like to draw that the EPS approach should not mistakenly focus on a model of classical tourism homogenization, with modernisation of the tourist product through the creation of large 4* and 5* hotel units of 30 to 50 beds of high requirements, as these are not consistent with the personality, character and very small scale of Koufonissia. These disproportionate and impersonal investments mainly attract exogenous capital, marginalizing local entrepreneurship based on small small investments, while at the same time degrade the existing tourist product and circumvent the environment"he stressed.
Central proposal is the significant reduction in permissible construction in off-plan areas. From around 1,500 sq mi in force today, proposed reduction to 400 sq mi per field, with an additional 100 sq.m. exclusively for auxiliary uses such as reception or small store. The regulation concerns property over 8 acres and aims to maintain the small scale.
At the same time, recommend the construction of only ground buildings, removal of off-plan floors in order to limit the bulky structures that burden the natural landscape.
Removal of bathing tanks
Special emphasis is placed on specific tourist infrastructure. Among other things, it is proposed that the bottoms – private and shared – be removed in tourist accommodation, as well as prohibition on setting up hotel complexes "Clubing“ and organized camping in Ano Koufonisi.
In the same logic, the strengthening of small-scale hospitality is qualified. A small increase in permissible construction for self-serviced accommodation, such as rooms, from 200 sq.m. to 250 sq.m., is suggested, as a more compatible form of development with the identity of the island.
Corresponding interventions are also considered for the within-plan areas, where either a reduction in construction is proposed for hotels (e.g. from 600 sq.m. per acre to about 400 sq.m.), or even a complete abolition of their possibility of erecting, with an emphasis on residences and small accommodation.
These measures are part of a broader strategy. «mild and sustainable development», giving priority to protecting the natural environment, resources and social cohesion. The aim, as noted, is to avoid the conversion of Koufonissia into a mass, impersonal tourist destination.
Maintaining authenticity
As has been pointed out, international impact of Koufonissia It was based on authenticity, simplicity and human scale. The shift towards large-scale investments, according to the same estimates, involves the risk of losing this comparative advantage.
Παράλληλα, διατυπώθηκαν και έντονες κοινωνικοοικονομικές ανησυχίες. Εκφράστηκε ο προβληματισμός ότι οι μεγάλες επενδύσεις συνδέονται κυρίως με εξωγενή κεφάλαια, γεγονός που ενδέχεται να περιορίσει τον ρόλο της τοπικής επιχειρηματικότητας, η οποία βασίζεται σε μικρές, οικογενειακές μονάδες, και να επηρεάσει τη συνοχή και τον τρόπο ζωής της τοπικής κοινωνίας.
