**With increasing cancellations and staffing concerns, Santorini's tourism heavyweights push for government support amid seismic fears.**
**Santorini's Tourism at Risk as Earthquake Uncertainty Looms**
**Santorini's Tourism at Risk as Earthquake Uncertainty Looms**
**Unprecedented tremors threaten the summer season for Greece's beloved island.**
As February ushers in the unofficial tourist season for Santorini, the island faces an ominous challenge from a series of earthquakes that have persisted since January. Anticipation usually builds around the arrival of cruise ships and the onset of Easter holidays, but the tremors have already driven some cruise lines to reconsider their plans. Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, reports an alarming decrease in bookings within just days, provoking worries for Santorini's economic lifeline.
The island, hosting only around 15,000 residents, swells with tourists during peak season, necessitating a large seasonal workforce to accommodate an influx that can reach 70,000 daily. However, potential staff members like bartender Manos are opting for jobs in other tourist hotspots such as Corfu, posing a dual threat to the summer season: a decline in visitors and an exodus of workers. With many businesses now scrambling to refurbish for visitors, construction activity has stuttered over safety apprehensions.
In response, hotel owners have urged the government to facilitate payments for their employees as work takes a back seat due to ongoing seismic worries. Pagonis asserts that proposals for support have received positive feedback from authorities, but execution remains uncertain. Meanwhile, with emergency measures enacted—rescue teams deployed and infrastructure at the forefront of discussions—industry participants stress the need for long-term investment, beyond just responding to earthquakes.
Margarita Karamolegkou, a hotel owner, emphasizes the necessity of a new port and better regulations for private rentals to maintain safety. Contributing around 2.5% to Greece's GDP and generating an estimated €5.9bn annually, Santorini must address these systemic issues even as detailed plans for 2025 tourism are under consideration.
With summer just months away, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has vowed to protect Santorini's prestigious reputation, referring to the island as an "iconic tourist destination." Yet, if earthquake concerns persist, Karamolegkou warns that operations may need to be delayed despite her confidence in maintaining high service standards with a reduced staff. As tourism stakeholders brace for what could be a turbulent year, the allure of Santorini undeniably hangs in the balance.
The island, hosting only around 15,000 residents, swells with tourists during peak season, necessitating a large seasonal workforce to accommodate an influx that can reach 70,000 daily. However, potential staff members like bartender Manos are opting for jobs in other tourist hotspots such as Corfu, posing a dual threat to the summer season: a decline in visitors and an exodus of workers. With many businesses now scrambling to refurbish for visitors, construction activity has stuttered over safety apprehensions.
In response, hotel owners have urged the government to facilitate payments for their employees as work takes a back seat due to ongoing seismic worries. Pagonis asserts that proposals for support have received positive feedback from authorities, but execution remains uncertain. Meanwhile, with emergency measures enacted—rescue teams deployed and infrastructure at the forefront of discussions—industry participants stress the need for long-term investment, beyond just responding to earthquakes.
Margarita Karamolegkou, a hotel owner, emphasizes the necessity of a new port and better regulations for private rentals to maintain safety. Contributing around 2.5% to Greece's GDP and generating an estimated €5.9bn annually, Santorini must address these systemic issues even as detailed plans for 2025 tourism are under consideration.
With summer just months away, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has vowed to protect Santorini's prestigious reputation, referring to the island as an "iconic tourist destination." Yet, if earthquake concerns persist, Karamolegkou warns that operations may need to be delayed despite her confidence in maintaining high service standards with a reduced staff. As tourism stakeholders brace for what could be a turbulent year, the allure of Santorini undeniably hangs in the balance.
