For centuries, tourists seeking sun, sea, and history have flocked to Greece, home to thousands of gorgeous islands. Santorini is obviously the most gorgeous and captivating of these islands. But despite its renown, Santorini is currently experiencing a financial crisis as local businesses find it difficult to handle the inflow of tourists.
The Allure of Santorini
Santorini, sometimes known as the “instagram island,” has drawn tourists for many years. The picture-perfect scene is created by its recognizable white-washed buildings perched on rocks overlooking the turquoise seas of the Aegean Sea. Couples, families, and friends go in droves to this magical island to take in its stunning scenery and distinct character.
The Truth Beneath the Images
A contrasting image is painted by local tour guide Gianluca Chimenti, who has lived in Santorini for eighteen years. The island is eerily silent after dark, while the streets are busy during the day. Chimenti maintains that despite pictures on social media that appear to show severe overcrowding, the actual situation is very different. In actuality, the island is deserted. It’s the worst season ever right now; it’s like never before,” he claims.
Too Much and Too Little Tourism
Restaurants are having financial difficulties, and hotels are only operating at less than 30% of their typical season. Rather than overtourism, Chimenti attributes this to a lack of infrastructure. He makes the argument that Santorini’s reputation for crowding can drive off prospective tourists who might otherwise think about traveling during the off-season or staying longer to really experience the allure of the island.
Suggestions for Fixing
A cap of 8,000 cruise ship passengers per day has been proposed by Nikos Zorzos, the mayor of Santorini. Next year, this measure is scheduled to be put into effect, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is in favor of it. According to Chimenti, more actions could improve the traveler experience. One of Europe’s most significant ancient sites is located on Santorini, he notes, and he wonders why cruise companies don’t arrange visits to these historical treasures. Santorini was able to keep its charm without overcrowding any one region by dispersing tourists around the whole island.
Summarizing, Santorini must strike a careful balance between allowing tourists and maintaining the standard of living for the indigenous population. Sustainable solutions will be essential to the long-term viability of this gorgeous island as long as tourists keep coming here.
