Reservations for holidays in Santorini appear 23% lower in early March compared to the corresponding period in 2024. In addition, the scheduling of airline seats for trips to the picturesque Cycladic island appears approximately 9% lower compared to the same time last year.

These data stem from converging reports of domestic and foreign tourism organizations that were disclosed to Kathimerini.

This is the impact of natural phenomena and especially earthquakes that have been taking place in the wider maritime area over the previous weeks. An impact, however, which is characterized by economists specializing in tourism as rather limited, at least compared to initial concerns. As long as the situation does not worsen and the phenomena are mitigated even further, it is estimated that these side effects can be significantly limited in the coming months. This is also the optimistic scenario, which currently seems to be the most prevalent. A possible escalation of the phenomena could certainly magnify the losses in reservations.

Experts point out that this is a worrying development, given that the situation this year follows the particularly high levels to which overnight stays in Santorini had climbed in the previous two years. Even more so, because prices have not decreased on the island this year. More information on this issue will be known in the coming weeks, when advance payments are supposed to be paid by travel agencies to hoteliers and airline itineraries are finalized.

Under these circumstances, both the Municipality of Santorini and the Regional Authority of South Aegean, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization, are ready to launch a new international promotional campaign when this is deemed appropriate.

The issue has not taken on any notable dimensions at the ITB Berlin 2025 international tourism fair this week, while major agencies continue to report strong demand for holidays in Greece.

Santorini is gradually going back to normal, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said at ITB Berlin: “Latest data show seismic activity in the region of Santorini has noticeably dropped, and life on the island is returning to normalcy, closely following scientists’ guidance and directions,” she told reporters.

Access to many places in Santorini is expected to be limited this year for safety reasons. For this purpose, there will be a provision in a relevant joint ministerial decision, which, among other things, will prohibit the use of the cable car in the short term or even for the whole year, in order to carry out works on the risk of landslides, which has increased further this year with the earthquakes.

A relevant study has already been carried out, however the corresponding invitation to tender must be made for the undertaking of the project, which is estimated to take time, even with urgent procedures. Other areas where the risk of landslides is increased, such as Ammoudi or some places in Thirasia, are expected, as last year, to be included in the list of areas with access prohibited.

Last year 1.54 million passengers from abroad arrived at Santorini airport, 1.8% more than the previous year.

According to the latest data from the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, there are 336 hotels operating on the island, of which 74 are classified as five-star, 99 four-star, 93 three-star and 70 two- and one-star.

Source: Ekathimerini.com