In brief
Tourism experts express concern over declining bookings and potential staff shortages, urging the Greek government for timely support.
Amidst thousands of earthquakes since January, Santorini—a popular tourist destination in Greece—faces an uncertain summer season that threatens its critical tourism industry. With the unofficial start of the tourist season in February coinciding with upcoming Easter holidays, local authorities and business owners are increasingly worried that tremors could deter visitors.Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, reported a noticeable drop in bookings over the past couple of days, fueling anxiety that tourism numbers could drastically fall this year. While some industry insiders remain hopeful that the trend is temporary, many anticipate challenges ahead, including a shortage of seasonal workers.Santorini's small permanent population of over 15,000 relies heavily on the seasonal workforce from within Greece and abroad, who assist in servicing large numbers of tourists during peak periods. Manos, a bartender who has worked in Santorini for five summers, shared his concerns about potentially lower earnings this year. He has already sought employment in Corfu, fearful of the economic risks posed by the island's seismic uncertainties.Moreover, the ongoing earthquake situation has delayed necessary construction work to refurbish hotels ahead of the tourist influx, prompting hotel owners to request government support to aid workers whose employment has been impacted. Pagonis mentioned that proposals for financial aid have been submitted, with indications that the government is taking the requests seriously; however, action is still awaited. Despite the authorities’ swift response—adding rescue teams and issuing a state of emergency for support—tourism industry leaders argue that substantial investments in the island's infrastructure are also essential for long-term recovery. Margarita Karamolegkou, a hotel owner with long-standing experience, emphasized the ongoing need for upgrades such as new port facilities and stringent safety regulations for rental properties.Santorini is a significant contributor to Greece's economy, accounting for around 2.5% of the national GDP and generating approximately €5.9 billion annually. Although there haven't been outright cancellations, fears of further booking declines loom large. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently visited the island and stressed the importance of safeguarding Santorini's renowned reputation as a premier tourist destination. He affirmed the commitment to ensure that the island's tourism sector rebounds effectively.While acknowledging the difficulties posed by the earthquakes, Karamolegkou remains optimistic, expressing confidence in the resilience of the island's hospitality professionals to deliver excellent services, even with a potentially reduced workforce. The desire to preserve Santorini's status as an iconic location persists amidst the uncertainty of its current seismic crisis.
