Santorini's Tourist Season Under Threat as Earthquakes Persist

Santorini faces uncertainty ahead of its summer tourist season due to a series of earthquakes. With declining bookings, concerns about staff shortages, and stalled construction work, the island's vital tourism industry is at risk. Local authorities are responding, but long-term infrastructure improvements are needed.

The island of Santorini, a renowned travel destination in Greece, is bracing for a challenging summer tourist season as thousands of earthquakes have rattled the region since January. As the unofficial tourist season kicks off in February, the uncertainty surrounding the seismic activity has already led to dwindling bookings and the cancellation of at least one cruise.

"We’ve noticed a drop in reservations over the last two days, but we remain hopeful it will be temporary," expressed Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers. Despite optimism, the prospect of not having enough seasonal staff to accommodate tourists looms large for the island, which typically welcomes numerous visitors daily.

Santorini relies on a seasonal workforce from both local and international regions, complementing its small permanent population of around 15,000 residents. Workers like Manos, who has served as a bartender on the island for five years, are reconsidering their summer plans due to fears of reduced tourist numbers impacting their earnings. "This year, I worry there may not be enough guests. As a result, I’ve taken a job in Corfu instead," he revealed.

The construction industry, vital for refurbishing hotels ahead of the tourist influx, is also grappling with challenges as safety apprehensions surrounding the earthquakes have stalled progress. Pagonis underscored the urgency of supporting both current and prospective workers, emphasizing that proposals for government assistance have been submitted with a hopeful reception.

While Greek authorities have taken swift action by sending rescue teams and declaring a state of emergency, some industry stakeholders assert the necessity of scaling up investment in the island’s infrastructure. Margarita Karamolegkou, a hotelier, pointed out that “the challenges won’t vanish once the earthquakes cease.” With the island hosting up to 70,000 workers and 160,000 tourists daily during peak season, initial progress on infrastructure, particularly a new port, is crucial.

The economic impact of Santorini is significant, contributing approximately 2.5% to Greece's GDP and generating an estimated €5.9 billion annually. Although there have been no outright cancellations, ongoing declines in bookings concern hotel owners. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently visited the island, emphasizing the importance of preserving Santorini as a "iconic tourist destination."

Karamolegkou expressed optimism amidst the pressures, revealing that her four hotels employ 120 staff members and that if seismic disturbances persist, hard decisions about opening dates may arise. However, she remains confident about maintaining high-quality services despite potential personnel shortages, bolstering hope for the island's tourism future.