February marks the unofficial start of the tourist season in Santorini, Greece, with the first cruise ship arriving and Easter approaching. However, the island has been rocked by thousands of earthquakes since January, leading to fears of a challenging tourist season. Some cruise lines have canceled trips, and hotel bookings have reportedly declined in recent days. Antonis Pagonis, president of the Greek Association of Hotel Management, expressed hope that the decrease in bookings will be temporary.
The island relies heavily on seasonal workers, but concerns about reduced tourist numbers have prompted some laborers, like bartender Manos, to consider alternative employment in Corfu rather than returning to Santorini this summer. The uncertainty is also impacting construction work needed for hotel renovations, as fears about earthquake safety are causing delays.
Hotel owners are seeking government support to retain workers, and while authorities have responded swiftly to the earthquake risks with emergency measures, some in the tourism sector argue that long-term investments in infrastructure are necessary. Margarita Karamolegkou, a hotel owner, highlighted ongoing demands for improvements to ports and safety regulations for private rentals.
Santorini is crucial to Greece’s economy, contributing around 2.5% to the GDP with an estimated annual revenue of €5.9 billion. While there have been no cancellations yet, the tourism industry warns of severe consequences if the situation does not improve soon. Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitotakis acknowledged the importance of maintaining Santorini’s reputation as a leading tourist destination. Karamolegkou remains optimistic about the future, believing that the island’s tourism sector can maintain high service standards, even amidst staffing challenges.
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