This paradise is threatened by a new form of tourism development. A number of companies have bought large tracts of land in all areas of the island and are planning large-scale investments, which consist of hotels, villas and marinas. The investments will increase the built area on the island by at least 50%. At the same time, most of the beaches will become inaccessible to the public. The construction will take place in a large part of the coastline of the island, radically altering its character, with roads, buildings, etc.

The indications so far are disappointing- to say the least. Access to one of the most beautiful beaches (Avlaki Papa) has become difficult, and the protected wetland inside it has been severely damaged. An iconic beach next to the Port (Koumbara) has been united to a neighboring rocky islet through a concrete cement bridge. The top of the islet has been leveled to build a private house. Ios is gradually becoming a tasteless version of the Caribbean islands.

Successive governments and the public administration have done little to prevent or penalize these illegal actions. Instead, they reward these companies by granting strategic investment status to  their planned investments, which means faster licensing, spatial facilities, and government subsidies. The local community has fatalistically accepted that the projected development will happen, and understands that it will not reap the benefits. The dystopian future planned for Ios may be that of many other Greek islands.