The summer tourist season is approaching for Santorini, a picturesque Greek island known for its breathtaking views and vibrant culture. However, the island currently faces severe uncertainty as thousands of earthquakes have struck since January, prompting growing anxiety in the tourism industry about potential impacts on visitor numbers. With the first cruise ships expected soon and the Easter holidays right around the corner, concerns escalate as one cruise has already canceled its trip to the island.
Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, has noted a significant decline in bookings over the past days. While a temporary dip is hoped to be merely short-lived, the broader implications for the vital tourist sector could be detrimental. In addition to potential lower visitor numbers, the workforce required to accommodate the anticipated tourist influx may be lacking this summer.
The island notably relies on seasonal workers who travel from across Greece and beyond, supplementing its permanent population of just over 15,000. Many prospective workers are reconsidering their job plans due to ongoing seismic activity, with bartender Manos sharing his decision to accept a position elsewhere in Corfu rather than return to Santorini this summer.
In light of the ongoing quakes, essential construction projects necessary to prepare hotels for the busy season have stalled over safety concerns. Pagonis reports that hotel owners are pressing the government to sustain wages for workers unable to work, while a series of proposals for workforce assistance have been submitted for consideration.
Despite swift responses from Greek authorities, including state of emergency declarations and rescue teams deployment, many in the tourism sector urge for substantial investment in the island's infrastructure. Hotel owner Margarita Karamolegkou highlights the pressing need for new facilities, such as a port, and stricter regulations for private rental properties that may fall short of safety standards. Santorini is crucial for Greece's economy, contributing roughly 2.5% of the nation's GDP and generating €5.9bn annually from its tourism.
As the season looms, hoteliers are worried about ongoing declines in bookings, with warnings that if the situation does not improve in the coming weeks, significant damage could ensue. Recognizing the situation, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reiterated the necessity of safeguarding Santorini's reputation as a leading tourist destination.
While challenges abound, hoteliers like Karamolegkou remain hopeful about the resilience of a sector that has endured for decades, determined to maintain high service standards irrespective of staffing shortages. Nonetheless, the collective mentality is one of cautious optimism as Santorini attempts to navigate this seismic crisis and look toward a prosperous future.
