It’s one of the most pictured island’s in Greece thanks to its breathtaking beauty and incredible sunsets but businesses there are struggling, says one local tour operator.
Greece is well known for its thousands of picturesque islands. There are 6,000 islands and islets in total, with 227 being inhabited. Their beautiful beaches, coves and caves, significant archaeological sites and stunning landscapes attract millions of visitors each year. One of the most popular destinations and certainly one of the most photographed has been a favourite with holidaymakers since the 70s. Families, friends and couples regularly flock to this dazzling island with its charming white washed houses and outstanding hilltop views of the azure waters that surround it and this year has been no different.
However, one local on the volcanic island of Santorini has claimed that despite the huge numbers of visitors, there is a major problem that has led to businesses struggling with under capacity. Gianluca Chimenti is a local tour operator and has been a resident for 18 years and he claims that although the streets are rammed to the rafters during the day, by nighttime, the place is a ghost town.
Greece, like many holiday resorts, has seen a tourism boom and is battling to balance the economical need for visitors with the quality of life for its residents. By day as many as 17,000 cruise ship passengers pile onto the island in peak season and to the capital Fira and the town of Oia on the northwestern tip which is known for its spectacular sunsets. The outstanding views and picture-perfect streets have led to Santorini being dubbed ‘instagram island’ and are a big pull for tourists.
The cobbled streets and balconies during the evening are uncomfortably packed with visitors but after sunset, when they return to their ships and sail on to their next destination, the place is much quieter. Social media is full of images of severe overcrowding on the island but Chimenti told CNN that’s not a true reflection of what’s going on.
“The problem is that the social media are showing something completely different from what is the reality,” he says. “The truth is that the island is empty. Right now is like never before, it’s the worst season ever.” He claims, “the hotels right now are more or less under 30% of a normal season,” and that other businesses, such as restaurants, on the island are also suffering. Chimenti believes that some who may want to visit out of season or actually stay on the island for a holiday to experience its full beauty are being put off by its overcrowded reputation. “Over-tourism doesn’t exist. What I see is a lack of structures,” he said.
The Mayor of Santorini, Nikos Zorzos, has proposed a cap on cruise ship passengers of 8,000 per day. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has backed the move and said it will be implemented next year. Chimenti thinks more could be done when it comes to where the tourists are taken. “Santorini has one of the most important archaeological sites right now in Europe,” he says. “Why are cruise ships not organising tours to the archaeological sites? If you split the people in three parts of the island, so at different times they are doing multiple things, they have time to enjoy and you will never have crowds in any part of the island.”
