Santorini attracted an average of almost 3.4 million tourists a year, despite the fact that the island has a population of only 20,000 permanent residents. Things have changed, and not for the better, in the past year, and experts warn that the situation is only going to get worse.
Pictures of Santorini crowds would not reflect the reality. Getty Images
Around 17,000 cruise ship passengers arrive on the island on peak days in high season, heading straight for hotspots such as the capital Fira and the town of Oia on its northwestern tip, famous for its spectacular sunsets. That’s how it even earned the nickname “Instagram Island”, taking advantage of its “filter-free” splendor, writes CNN Travel.
The narrow cobbled streets and clifftop balconies are packed with tourists looking for sunset selfies and locals are disturbed as they go about their daily business. When evening comes, however, the crowds seem to melt away, and some complain that the island goes from Times Square to a ghost town, the source said.
Tourismophobia and exaggerated environmentalism will kill tourism and impoverish people
Starting in 2025, nothing will be the same. Mayor Nikos Zorzos has proposed a cap on cruise ship passengers of up to 8,000 a day. It’s a move supported by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who told Bloomberg the measure is set for next year.
Anti-tourism protests were at home in Europe this summer. Demonstrations took place in Spain, the Netherlands and beyond. Venice has announced tough measures, and other tourism havens are preparing to follow suit, including Santorini.
This is how turismophobia was reached, its peak even in the areas most dependent on tourists’ money. The debate was about how these localities can benefit from tourism, but at the same time maintain a desirable and sustainable environment for all. In other words, the ideas of the environmental left, which wants to limit the impact on the environment at all costs, even if it means killing tourism and impoverishing the populations dependent on the visitors’ money, have succeeded in imposing themselves. At what price and how big will be the impact on the economy in those areas remains to be seen, just as it remains to be seen how those who shout louder “Tourists go” will react after they realize that in the absence of money from tourism will impoverish.
“The Island is Empty”
And if there are really areas where too much tourism and too many tourists end up spoiling, for Santorini, according to some experts, things would be different. Here, experts say, the problem lies in the fact that the infrastructure is outdated and there is a lack of investment.
“Supratourism does not exist. What I see is a lack of structuresGianluca Chimenti, a local tour operator and 18-year resident of Santorini, told CNN Travel. While social media is full of images of the archipelago’s beaches at peak times, he says the picture the rest of the time is very different:“The truth is that the island is empty. Now it’s like never before, it’s the worst season ever.”
July and August are peak season in Santorini, but the center is “dead” after 9 p.m., and restaurants and hotels are under capacity, he says.
From donkey ride to popular tourist destination
In the mid-to-late 20th century, Santorini’s inhabitants rode donkeys and grew tomatoes and vineyards for wine. Now the island’s aging infrastructure is under severe pressure, with the main port of Fira under particular strain.
Unless they want a long and very steep walk, the cable car is the only option for cruise ship passengers to get from the Old Port to the city center, Chimenti points out. However, “hotels at this time were more or less under 30% occupancy of a normal season,” he claims, and says other businesses on the island have taken a similar hit.
“The problem is that social media shows something completely different from the situation in reality”, he says. Although many tourists have made reservations and will visit the island this year, there are many others who are put off by its reputation as an overcrowded destination and avoid it.
The need for diversification
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a global trade body, announced on August 1 that it had met with Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Christos Stylianides to discuss the crisis, including improving and modernizing port infrastructure and services.
In Greece, domestic tourism receipts rose 16 percent in the first five months of this year, Reuters reports, and 2024 is expected to eclipse last year’s record of 33 million arrivals.
“Recently, the growth of tourism in Greece has attracted significant attention, particularly regarding the islands of Santorini and MykonosMaria Deligianni, CLIA regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said in a statement. She confirmed her cruise lines’ commitment to maintaining the 8,000 passenger limit and said there was strong interest in diversifying Greek itineraries to take pressure off the most popular spots.
Currently, nearly two-thirds of Greece’s cruise tourism takes place in Piraeus, Santorini and Mykonos, CLIA said.
“Santorini has one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe today”, says Chimenti. “Why don’t cruise ships organize tours of archaeological sites? Divide the people into three parts of the island, so that at different times they do several things“, he says. Thus, he adds “people have time to enjoy themselves and you will never have congestion in any part of the island.”
