With the summer tourist season approaching, Santorini struggles to assure visitors amid fears of declining bookings and staffing shortages.
**Tourism in Santorini Faces Uncertainty Amid Ongoing Seismic Activity**
**Tourism in Santorini Faces Uncertainty Amid Ongoing Seismic Activity**
As winter transitions to spring, the beloved Greek island grapples with the effects of numerous earthquakes and their potential impact on tourism.
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February marks the unofficial kickoff of Santorini's tourist season, with expectations for an influx of visitors coinciding with Easter celebrations. However, the island has been rocked by thousands of earthquakes since January, prompting one cruise line to cancel its stop and casting a shadow over what is traditionally a booming time for tourism. "We’ve already noticed a dip in bookings, though we remain hopeful it’s temporary," stated Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers.
Tourism is pivotal for Santorini's economy, employing a temporary workforce to cater to the influx of tourists that can swell from 15,000 locals to tens of thousands during peak times. Yet, the ongoing seismic activity has some potential workers reconsidering their summer plans. Manos, a bartender who typically works every summer on the island, said, "I’m not afraid of the earthquakes themselves, but I worry that there won't be enough tourists this year. It’s a big risk for my income." He has thus secured a job on Corfu instead.
Currently, construction efforts aimed at preparing hotels for the summer are at a standstill, further complicating staffing issues. With safety on the minds of many, hotel owners are advocating for government support to maintain salaries while they await the green light to resume work. Pagonis revealed, "We have proposed several measures to help the current workforce and those who will soon seek employment."
While recent governmental actions—including providing rescue teams and declaring a state of emergency—indicate a swift response to the challenges posed by the earthquakes, some within the industry believe that substantial investments in infrastructure are necessary to ensure future resilience. Margarita Karamolegkou, owner of four hotels on the island, expressed, "We have long sought improvements, such as a new port to support increasing tourist numbers."
Santorini plays a critical role in Greece’s economy, accounting for about 2.5% of its GDP and generating an annual revenue exceeding €5.9 billion. Although hoteliers report no cancellations, the threat of further diminished bookings looms large. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the urgency of safeguarding Santorini's reputation as an iconic destination: "We must ensure that 2025 remains a great year for tourism."
While Karamolegkou acknowledges the challenges this season, she remains hopeful. "We’ve been in this business for years, and I trust that even with fewer staff, we can maintain high service standards." As Santorini navigates these tumultuous times, the world watches to see how this enchanting island will rebound from adversity.
February marks the unofficial kickoff of Santorini's tourist season, with expectations for an influx of visitors coinciding with Easter celebrations. However, the island has been rocked by thousands of earthquakes since January, prompting one cruise line to cancel its stop and casting a shadow over what is traditionally a booming time for tourism. "We’ve already noticed a dip in bookings, though we remain hopeful it’s temporary," stated Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers.
Tourism is pivotal for Santorini's economy, employing a temporary workforce to cater to the influx of tourists that can swell from 15,000 locals to tens of thousands during peak times. Yet, the ongoing seismic activity has some potential workers reconsidering their summer plans. Manos, a bartender who typically works every summer on the island, said, "I’m not afraid of the earthquakes themselves, but I worry that there won't be enough tourists this year. It’s a big risk for my income." He has thus secured a job on Corfu instead.
Currently, construction efforts aimed at preparing hotels for the summer are at a standstill, further complicating staffing issues. With safety on the minds of many, hotel owners are advocating for government support to maintain salaries while they await the green light to resume work. Pagonis revealed, "We have proposed several measures to help the current workforce and those who will soon seek employment."
While recent governmental actions—including providing rescue teams and declaring a state of emergency—indicate a swift response to the challenges posed by the earthquakes, some within the industry believe that substantial investments in infrastructure are necessary to ensure future resilience. Margarita Karamolegkou, owner of four hotels on the island, expressed, "We have long sought improvements, such as a new port to support increasing tourist numbers."
Santorini plays a critical role in Greece’s economy, accounting for about 2.5% of its GDP and generating an annual revenue exceeding €5.9 billion. Although hoteliers report no cancellations, the threat of further diminished bookings looms large. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the urgency of safeguarding Santorini's reputation as an iconic destination: "We must ensure that 2025 remains a great year for tourism."
While Karamolegkou acknowledges the challenges this season, she remains hopeful. "We’ve been in this business for years, and I trust that even with fewer staff, we can maintain high service standards." As Santorini navigates these tumultuous times, the world watches to see how this enchanting island will rebound from adversity.
