Residents of the seaside settlement of Xifia near Monemvasia are raising concerns over a major tourism investment that they say will double the size of their sparsely built community and alter its character.
The project began drawing attention a year and half ago, when a fenced worksite appeared on what locals believed was protected forestland.
The plot had been reclassified in 2021, later sold, and in April 2024 received a permit for a 20‑bed hotel with a pool by Xifias Real Estate. A second permit was issued for two buildings, while the company’s website promotes plans for up to 59 residences on the same 1.3‑hectare plot.
Ble Kedros says the hotel and homes will be completed in 2026 and that further development depends on planning procedures.
Local officials argue the scale effectively creates a new settlement beside Natura‑protected beaches. “We ask for the self‑evident respect for the place and its limits,” one community leader said.