Santorini fears for summer tourist season as earthquakes hit island

Santorini, a picturesque island in Greece, is facing challenges as it approaches the summer tourist season. Known for its breathtaking views and vibrant sunsets, the island typically welcomes thousands of visitors each year. However, since January, Santorini has experienced a series of earthquakes, leading to concerns about the impact on tourism. February marks the unofficial start of the tourist season, with the arrival of the first cruise ships and the anticipation of the Easter holidays. Unfortunately, the tremors have already caused one cruise line to cancel its visit, raising fears that the island's vital tourism industry may struggle this year. Antonis Pagonis, the president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, expressed concern, stating, 'In the past two days, we have seen a drop in bookings, but we hope this will be short-lived. ' This decline in reservations could significantly affect the local economy, which relies heavily on the influx of tourists during the peak season. Santorini's population is relatively small, with just over 15,000 permanent residents. During the summer months, however, the island can see tens of thousands of tourists each day. To accommodate this influx, many seasonal workers come from other parts of Greece and abroad. The uncertainty surrounding the earthquakes has led some workers to reconsider their plans for the summer. Manos, a bartender who has worked in Santorini for five summers, shared his worries, saying, 'I'm worried there won't be enough tourists. If the season is weak, I might not make as much money, or they might not need me for the whole summer. I can't take that risk. ' As a result, he has accepted a job in Corfu instead of returning to Santorini this year. The need for temporary workers extends beyond the summer season. Currently, construction workers are needed to refurbish hotels in preparation for the busy months ahead. However, safety concerns related to the earthquakes have halted this work. Hotel owners are anxious that if workers seek employment elsewhere, they may not have enough staff when the season begins. To address this issue, they are urging the government to continue paying a portion of workers' salaries until construction can resume. Mr. Pagonis mentioned that they have submitted proposals to the government to support both the existing workforce and those looking for summer jobs. He noted that the government has responded positively, but the implementation of these measures remains uncertain. In response to the earthquakes, Greek authorities have acted swiftly, deploying rescue teams to Santorini and declaring a state of emergency to facilitate aid. However, some tourism industry professionals argue that further investment in the island's infrastructure is necessary. Margarita Karamolegkou, who owns four hotels in Santorini, emphasized that the challenges will not vanish once the earthquakes cease. She stated, 'During the season, the island sees 70,000 workers and 160,000 visitors daily. While the state has acted quickly in response to the earthquake, we have long been asking for improvements such as a new port. ' Additionally, there are calls for stricter regulations on private rental properties, which may not adhere to the same safety standards as hotels. Santorini plays a significant role in Greece's economy, accounting for approximately 2. 5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and generating an estimated €5. 9 billion annually. Although there have been no cancellations reported thus far, hoteliers are noticing a decline in bookings. Industry professionals warn that if the situation persists for another month, the impact on businesses could be severe. During a recent visit to the island, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the importance of safeguarding Santorini's reputation as a premier tourist destination. He stated, 'It is our duty to protect it, preserve its reputation, and ensure that 2025 is another excellent year for tourism. ' Ms. Karamolegkou, whose hotels employ 120 staff members, recognizes the challenges ahead. She admits that if the tremors continue for much longer, she may have to delay the opening of her hotels. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about the future of the island's tourism industry. 'We have been in this business for decades, operating at the highest level. I am confident that even with fewer staff, our services will remain exceptional.