In brief
Despite a decrease in bookings, locals and authorities remain hopeful for recovery and improvements.
The famous Greek island of Santorini is bracing for a tough tourist season due to ongoing earthquakes that have rattled the island since January. With the arrival of cruise ships and the Easter holiday approaching, many hotels and businesses are nervously watching the situation unfold. Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, is seeing a drop in bookings recently but hopes it’s just a temporary blip.The island's tourism industry relies on seasonal workers to cater to an influx of around 160,000 visitors a day in peak seasons. With uncertainty in the air about how many tourists will visit, some workers are reconsidering their summer plans. Bartender Manos has already accepted a job in Corfu after fearing that his earnings in Santorini may be compromised.Construction work on hotels has also come to a halt due to safety concerns, which has pushed hotel owners to request governmental support for their workers. Greek authorities have reacted quickly by dispatching rescue teams and declaring a state of emergency, but industry leaders argue that more infrastructure investment is needed to ensure safety in the long run. Despite the challenges, local hotelier Margarita Karamolegkou remains optimistic, believing that their established reputation for high-quality service will help sustain the industry, even amid fewer staff. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of protecting Santorini's status as a world-renowned tourist attraction, assuring that efforts will be made to preserve the island's appeal for future visitors.
