Earthquake Concerns Impact Santorini’s Tourism Season Start

Recent earthquakes have postponed Santorini’s tourism season start to May. Greece remains a popular tourist destination, although seismic concerns raise uncertainty. Preparations for accommodations are hindered by a state of emergency, and labor shortages complicate hiring efforts. Despite cancellations for Easter, summer bookings appear stable, and Santorini’s airport operations remain unaffected.

Santorini’s tourism season is experiencing delays due to recent earthquakes, with the start of the season postponed to May. TUI reports that Greece remains a favored tourist destination, ranking second in Europe based on future bookings, despite Santorini’s unique challenges posed by seismic activity.

Early forecasts for Greek tourism in summer 2025 are optimistic, with notable airline and tour operator interest in adding Greek destinations, indicating a strong demand. However, the safety concerns regarding Santorini’s seismic activity have led to uncertainty about its tourism future.

The ongoing seismic events have created anxiety among stakeholders about the island’s readiness for the summer season. Constant communication with experts is in place to address these safety concerns, as emphasized by Antonis Pagonis, president of the Local Hoteliers Association, who noted the collaborative efforts of the government and tourism stakeholders.

Preparations for Santorini’s accommodations are underway, yet the state of emergency until March 3 has raised concerns about completing necessary repairs in time for the Easter period. Antonis Iliopoulos, president of the Santorini Hoteliers Association, indicated that some hotel owners may delay openings until May due to these repairs.

Compounding these challenges is a notable labor shortage within Santorini’s tourism sector, with many workers seeking opportunities in other islands such as Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu. The seismic activity further exacerbates job security issues, posing additional challenges to hiring seasonal staff.

While there have been no major cancellations for the summer season, cancellations for the Easter period have begun to emerge, attributed to coinciding Catholic and Orthodox Easter dates. Experts suggest that the full impact on bookings will become clearer by the end of February.

Santorini’s airport has managed to accommodate over 6,000 passengers from February 3 to 14, demonstrating effective operational capacity despite the seismic concerns. Continued infrastructure upgrades at the airport, overseen by Fraport Greece, have ensured the facility remains undamaged, while collaboration with local authorities aids in maintaining smooth operations and emergency readiness.

Santorini’s tourism sector faces uncertainty due to recent seismic activity leading to a delay in the season’s start. While expectations for Greece’s overall tourism remain positive, concerns about safety and preparation persist. Addressing labor shortages and ensuring readiness by mid-April will be critical for the island’s tourism recovery and stability moving forward.

Original Source: www.turkiyetoday.com