Media: Iconic Greek holiday island of Santorini reaching its limits
Santorini has been experiencing an unprecedented explosion in tourism since a lull in 2011-12, the likes of which is comparable only perhaps to Myconos, Kathimerini newspaper notes in the following recent article:
It is not all good news, however, as the southeast Aegean island is struggling with problems usually associated with big cities, like traffic jams and water shortages.
Rising demand has resulted in constant construction, so that the once-idyllic landscape is becoming as congested as Attica. Much of this construction, meanwhile, is defined by violations both large and small, as Santorini’s woefully understaffed zoning authority is responsible for six islands.
Growing demand has also resulted in a proliferation of Airbnb-style short-term rentals, doubling the number of available beds on the island – together with water and power consumption, and waste volume.
The extension of the tourism season, an enviable achievement in some respects, added more than 15,000 permanent residents to the island’s population in five years, mostly people who work in tourism services.
All of these workers, along with the island’s civil servants, teachers, bank employees and other locals, have a dwindling pool of accommodation options, since the short-term rental sector swallows up property after property.
Add to this the annual several thousand visitors who visit the island for just a few hours, and you get a Santorini that has reached saturation point – if it hasn’t already passed it.
“In 2012 we had 3.3 million overnight stays and in 2017 5.5 million. We’ve had an explosion in tourism and this is creating problems,” notes Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos.
“The primary issue is that the private sector moves at a much faster pace than the state. The second issue is that 18 percent of Santorini has been built on – that percentage is higher than Attica’s. I believe that Santorini has peaked in terms of tourism activity and that we have to do everything in our power to stay on top.”
Santorini has been struggling with overcrowding for the last two years, yet arrivals just keep rising. Cruise visits are on the rise after a brief slump in 2011-12 and the season now stretches from early spring to early winter. Turnover is estimated at more than 1 billion euros a year, but this comes at a heavy cost and discussion regarding the island’s ability to cope has become essential.
“Our infrastructure is under incredible pressure. Water consumption has doubled and there has been a huge rise in demand for power. We had a blackout in 2013 when demand was at 32.5 MW for the peak period of around two months. Last year we needed to produce 47 MW for four months. But we also have urban problems like traffic jams,” stresses Zorzos.
“Santorini’s comparative advantage, the land itself, is being used up profligately. If the presidential decree of 2012 limiting construction had been strictly implemented, we would not be in the situation today. But we don’t have the supervisory mechanism for this to happen. There is one civil engineer in the zoning authority and just 29 officers in the local police force,” continues the mayor.
Zorzos explains that he was expecting 41 trainee officers to be dispatched to the island this summer, but only 10 or 15 will end up coming because of the accommodation shortage. The Defense Ministry has a number of houses near the airport that could have served this purpose, but has instead earmarked them as holiday homes for the air force.
The accommodation shortage is a serious problem for many professionals here.
“The island has become one huge hotel,” points out Karolina Rikaki, an English teacher at the Emborio Middle School.
Read more at ekathimerini.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
- 1) UN Tourism to make residents focus of Greek island of Thassos’ sector recovery
- 2) American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
- 3) German Youth: Holidays are only worth it when they have content for social media
- 4) WTM 2023 Global Report: Tourists abandon sun loungers in favour of new experiences
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
Greek Deputy Culture Minister and Indian ambassador talk cooperation in film sector
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
Hellenic Film Society organizes traditional Vasilopita Cutting on January 28
St. Thomas Hellenic Afternoon School marked the Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs
Yale University students visit The Εllinikon Experience Center in Greece
Minister: Greece to support Bulgaria and Romania in joining the Schengen zone
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
Greek tax service AADE launches updated website new section on expatriates
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night