For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, Santorini is experiencing a decline in tourists. Unlike in previous years, visitors to one of Greece’s most popular islands are not finding themselves packed within dense crowds, but instead Fira’s main street is largely deserted.
Earthquake activity on Santorini earlier this year has deterred many international visitors from choosing it for their holidays this year. While arrivals have been increasing in the last few weeks, the numbers fall far short of the highs in previous years. According to Yannis Paraschis, president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), “available airline seats are down 26% from the beginning of the year to date. But the indications we have in terms of supply of seats are down in the range of 7%-8% for the summer, so we expect a result with losses of 10%-15%”.
The president of the Santorini hoteliers, Antonis Pagoni, told Euronews he estimates a continued fall in tourist traffic and warned that the effects will spread throughout the entire Greek economy.
“The president of SETE talked about airport arrivals,” he added, “but I will unfortunately say that overall arrivals will be down about 20%-25%. Right now we are moving at -25% to -30%. It’s a huge reduction in a destination like Santorini that attracts more than 3 million visitors. You know, it’s 10% of Greek tourism. We are not sure if Greece can afford to lose that revenue.”
Currently, hotels are offering rooms at discounted rates in an attempt to attract last-minute holidaymakers.
The worldwide cost-of-living crisis is also having an effect on Santorini. This year, visitors are more restrained in their spending, which is impacting both hotel bookings and local businesses that rely on tourist trade but are finding vistors are spending significantly less on food and souvenirs.
That being said, three cruise ships continue to stop in Santorini every day, bringing thousands of visitors to explore Santorini’s sights. The cruise tax, to be collected from July, is not expected to affect this year’s cruise ship arrivals.
Meanwhile, Santorini’s mayor, Nikos Zorzos, has emphasised the need for a “saturation law” on the island, arguing that it “does not need any more accommodation”. “Santorini does not need any more beds. I say this with great certainty, with as much certainty as I know that my name is Nikos,” he said. He has called for state assistance to improve public infrastructure, noting that Santorini has contributed significantly to national coffers without receiving adequate returns.