Tourist numbers on Santorini drop as earthquake fears keep visitors away

Published on 09/06/2025 - 15:21 GMT+2

The main thoroughfare without galore people, alleys that are not crowded pinch visitors; these are uncommon sights during nan summertime months successful Santorini's capital, Fira.

For nan first twelvemonth since nan COVID-19 pandemic, Santorini, 1 of nan astir celebrated Greek islands, is experiencing a diminution successful tourer traffic.

Earthquake activity connected nan land earlier this twelvemonth deterred galore world visitors from choosing it for their summertime holidays.

In caller weeks, arrivals person been increasing, but nan numbers are acold short of nan highs of erstwhile years.

"In Santorini, disposable hose seats are down 26% from nan opening of nan twelvemonth to date. But nan indications we person successful position of proviso of seats are down successful nan scope of 7%-8% for nan summer, truthful we expect a consequence pinch losses of 10%-15%," said president of nan Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Yannis Paraschis.

The president of nan Santorini hoteliers, Antonis Pagoni, told Euronews he estimates a further autumn successful tourer postulation and warned that nan effects will dispersed passim nan full Greek economy.

"The president of SETE talked astir airdrome arrivals," he added, "but I will unluckily opportunity that wide arrivals will beryllium down astir 20%-25%. Right now we are moving astatine -25% to -30%. It's a immense simplification successful a destination for illustration Santorini that attracts much than 3 cardinal visitors. You know, it's 10% of Greek tourism. We are not judge if Greece tin spend to suffer that revenue."

Offers for last-minute tourists

The island's hoteliers are offering discounts connected room rates to pull last-minute tourists.

Almost each time 3 cruise ships extremity successful Santorini and thousands of visitors get disconnected to respect nan island's sights.

The cruise tax, which will yet commencement to beryllium collected from July, is not expected to impact this year's cruise vessel arrivals.

At nan aforesaid time, nan costs of surviving situation affecting galore parts of nan world is besides leaving its people connected Santorini.

This year, visitors are much restrained successful their spending and this tin beryllium seen not only successful edifice bookings but besides successful nan alleys of nan Greek islands.

According to shop owners, visitors this twelvemonth are spending importantly little than successful erstwhile years, not only connected eating but besides connected buying souvenirs.