Syros Island Committed To Balance Tourism With Sustainable Development To Preserve Its Natural And Cultural Heritage

Through a collective vision and a range of collaborative initiatives, the Greek island safeguards a viable and sustainable destination for future generations. Additionally, the destination celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Enfield 8000, an electric car built on the island

Photo Credit: Municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis

In a concerted effort to promote sustainability and innovation, the Municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis is taking steps to drive positive change and position itself as an eco-conscious destination, aiming to enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors whilst preserving its natural ecosystem and cultural heritage.

From waste and water management to sustainable and smart tourism initiatives, local government, residents, and businesses are actively working together to implement programs and projects that prioritize eco-friendly community practices, transform its infrastructure, reduce the island’s carbon footprint and protect its natural resources.

Syros has a history in an environmentally friendly mindset, as it was home to a groundbreaking development with the production of the world’s first electric vehicle, the Enfiled 8000, which just celebrated over 50 years since its debut back in 1973. This was a truly visionary step towards sustainable transportation, decades before electric vehicles became mainstream, and showcases the island’s innovative spirit.

“It is our responsibility to safeguard the natural beauty and heritage of Syros, promote viable economic growth and position our destination as a model for sustainable tourism and responsible living in the Cyclades for generations to come,”said Vice Mayor of Tourism at Municipality of Syros -Hermoupolis Christianna Papitsi.

Key initiatives & projects:

• Sustainable Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs: The Municipality has introduced and promoted an island-wide policy to reduce waste through composting and recycling methods. Installation of more bins has been central, as well as public awareness campaigns amongst residents, visitors and local businesses to embrace efforts in waste and plastic use reduction, sorting practices, and minimization of landfill usage.

Organized by KEPEA (Centres for Environmental and Sustainability Education) and the active support of the Municipality of Syros Hermoupolis, Αειforever, – a sustainability festival was introduced in 2023 with a goal to celebrate, educate and inspire the community towards a sustainable way of life. In summer 2024, the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) and OPUS, as part of the informative events of the “My Plastic and Me” project, organized a series of activities with educational games, performances and workshops, in collaboration with local artists, the Repair café and Fabric Republic.

• Water Conservation & Management: With water scarcity a significant issue for island ecosystems, Syros is implementing water conservation measures, including advanced desalination systems and rainwater collection projects. These efforts ensure a stable water supply for residents, agriculture, and tourism, while preserving the island’s natural resources.
• Sustainable Tourism Initiatives: In collaboration with local businesses, Syros is encouraging eco-friendly tourism through low-impact activities, sustainable accommodations, responsible travel practices and behaviors.

Syros was way ahead of its time in energy innovation technologies and environmentally friendly practices, with the launch of the Enfield 8000, which was one of the first electric cars produced at a commercial scale, more than 50 years ago! Launched during the 1973 oil crisis, the two-seater battery-electric city car brought heightened interest in alternative energy vehicles. Although only about 120 units were produced, the car’s launch was a significant milestone in the early history of electric vehicles. The factory was set up in Syros, making it one of the first islands in Greece to engage in advanced industrial manufacturing, positioning it as a hub for early tech-driven projects.

More recently, through the completion of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (S.B.A.K.) in 2022 the Municipality wishes to promote in the very near future the wide use of electric vehicles in order to reduce the environmental burden.

Additionally, in order to minimize the environmental impact of traffic, the island provides a system of free regional parking, offering comfortable and safe spaces for visitors and frequent free shuttle services to encourage smart and responsible travel choices.

Since 2020, SEATRAC mobility systems and sea ramps have been installed at five beaches, to improve accessibility and enhance the experience for people with mobility limitations. Through spatial regeneration and improved infrastructure (extended sidewalks, and special signage for people with mobility and visual impairments) around the main cultural attractions, the Municipality of Syros – Hermoupolis won the first prize in the category of Sustainability with the nomination of “Syros is a disabled-friendly destination” in 2021.

In 2024, the Municipality of Syros- Hermoupolis, launched a digital campaign to encourage visitors to find all relevant destination information (key attractions, bus routes, ferries, cultural events calendar etc) on their website through the use of a QR code. This was a key action, moving away from print collateral and brochures, to an online and contemporary tourism resource center.

• Smart City Platform: The Municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis, in the context of the creation and exploitation of the Open Shopping Centres (ACP), procured a central platform for data integration and visualization, in order to manage the smart city and sustainable urban mobility systems from a single cloud- based platform. This initiative, which was launched in 2022 enables interconnection between citizens, processes and data and improves communication of individual smart city solutions and applications. It aims to strengthen and stimulate economic activity in commercial areas, specifically those with tourism potential, as well as enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the area whilst organizing the economic activity by adopting and using smart applications.

The Platform has been imperative in supporting a range of city solutions such as dynamic parking management (Smart Parking), remote lane lighting control (Remote Smart Street Lighting Control), Wireless Internet access, collection and management of environmental data, locating and monitoring the position of objects (e.g. bins) and vehicles (waste collection and management), intelligent traffic monitoring, public safety and security, environmental data monitoring and intelligent energy monitoring amongst others and it is a work under progress.

• Protecting Biodiversity: Syros is home to unique flora and fauna that are essential to its natural landscape. The island’s sustainability plan includes protecting biodiversity through designated conservation zones, marine protection areas, and initiatives to support native species. Additionally, marine conservation efforts are in full swing, ensuring responsible tourism practices that safeguard delicate underwater habitats.

An Eco-Conscious Tourism Model for the Cyclades

As an island dedicated to balancing tourism with sustainability, Syros actively continues to develop its green initiatives and aims to serve as a model for eco-conscious development in the Aegean. Through workshops, educational programs, and hands-on volunteer opportunities, Syros aims to inspire residents, visitors, and partners to be part of its sustainable journey.

For more information or to plan your visit to Syros, please visit syrosisland.gr.

About Syros

The municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis is dedicated to promoting the island’s rich cultural and culinary heritage. Focusing on sustainable tourism and the preservation of local traditions, Syros offers visitors an authentic and immersive experience of one of the Cyclades’ most beloved destinations.

Photo Credit: Municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis