In brief
As Santorini braces for its peak tourist season, a series of earthquakes since January has cast shadows over its thriving tourism industry, prompting worries among hotel owners and workers alike.
The start of February marks the unofficial beginning of the tourist season on Santorini, a well-known destination for vacationers worldwide. However, a troubling spate of earthquakes affecting the island has forced at least one cruise line to cancel plans to dock at its shores and has sparked fears that tourism—a key driver of the local economy—may suffer this summer. Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, acknowledged a decline in bookings over the past few days but expressed hope for recovery.The summer season is critical for Santorini, where a temporary workforce of seasonal employees typically supports a permanent population of approximately 15,000 residents. The island typically swells to accommodate tens of thousands of tourists daily during peak periods. Yet, the ongoing seismic uncertainty has led some workers to reconsider their summer plans. Bartender Manos, who has enjoyed a profitable stint on the island for several years, has decided to take a job in Corfu this year, voicing concerns over potential reduced earnings and job availability.The quakes have also disrupted the construction work necessary for hotel refurbishments ahead of summer, leading hoteliers to appeal to the government for continued financial support for employees until safety can be assured. Pagonis stated that the government has been responsive to these proposals, but the implementation of supportive measures remains uncertain.While the state has deployed rescue teams and declared a state of emergency to facilitate assistance and safety responses, some stakeholders in the tourism sector call for more infrastructure investment beyond immediate earthquake responses. Margarita Karamolegkou, a hotel owner, highlighted the need for enhancements such as a new port and stricter regulations on private rentals, which may not adhere to the same safety standards as licensed accommodations.As Santorini contributes around 2.5% to Greece's GDP with an annual revenue of roughly €5.9 billion, hoteliers are already observing a drop in bookings and warn of dire consequences if the seismic activity persists. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently visited the island and acknowledged the critical importance of its tourism reputation, affirming a commitment to safeguard it and preserve its standing as a premier tourist hub for years to come.Although Karamolegkou acknowledges the pressing challenges, she remains hopeful that her hotel services can maintain their high standards, even with a smaller staff if the situation continues to unfold unfavorably.
