As Santorini continues to be rattled by earthquakes, the tourism industry is anxious that the tremors will prevent many travelers from visiting the picturesque Greek island.
Tourism executives say that up to now there has been no rush to cancel holidays, but they are keeping their fingers crossed that no destructive earthquake will hit when the tourist season begins in late March to early April.
“Up to now we had no cancellations,” says George Tsolakakis, Owner/Director of Sales at Aqua Vista Hotels, one of the largest chains on Santorini.
“We have received inquiries about the situation, but no cancellations,” he tells Greek Reporter. He adds, however, that this may change if a magnitude 6 earthquake strikes that could cause damage. Until now, the strongest earthquake measured 5.2.
Santorini has experienced nearly 9,000 minor earthquakes since late January, with the seismic swarm now migrating northeast, according to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Its Department of Geophysics and Geothermics reported that the swarm, which began on January 24, has shown a clear northeastward movement.
Santorini tourism is affected by hospitality workers leaving the island
For Tsolakakis the biggest problem facing hotels, and the hospitality industry in general, is the fact that thousands of workers working in the industry have left the island because of the continuous tremors.
“Santorini now is practically deserted. Most of the workers have left and it is doubtful whether they will come back as long as seismic activity continues. Even if it stops, it will take time for these people to return.”
The months of February and March are crucial for preparing the hotels and ensuring they are ready to host tourists. “Inevitably preparations will be delayed . . . The tourist season will not start in March as usual but at least a month later,” Tsolakakis said.
The cruise ship Viking Star canceled its Feb. 10 Santorini stop, rerouting to Chania. A second scheduled visit on Feb. 15 remains uncertain.
Ten cruises are scheduled to dock in Santorini in March, but their status depends on the situation in the coming weeks.
Some Greek travel agencies have canceled Santorini as a destination for the March 25 National Day and Easter holiday. Seismic activity in the wider sea area of Santorini is adjusting the plans of cruise companies, initially until June.
Cruise ships to avoid Santorini in the near future
Some fear that many of the 170 cruise ship approaches scheduled will be rerouted. The companies are looking for alternative scenarios.
No one will take the risk of sending a ship with thousands of tourists to Santorini even if the seismic activity calms down. “No one takes the risk of a ‘sudden earthquake’ while thousands of people are boarding or disembarking from the island,” cruise executives pointed out to New Money and added: “At least until June, take Santorini out of the frame. And we’ll see.”
The cruise ship Viking Star, which was to open the cruise season in Santorini on Sunday, docked instead at Souda, Crete, with 893 passengers and 470 crew members.
Tourism is incredibly significant for Santorini’s economy. It’s the lifeblood of the island, driving a huge portion of its economic activity and providing livelihoods for a large percentage of its residents.
The heightened seismic activity has prompted authorities to implement additional precautionary measures, including restricting traffic in areas listed as vulnerable to rockslides. Army trucks have also brought electricity generators to Santorini, while rescuers were deployed earlier this week.
Santorini mayor optimistic
Speaking to Greek Reporter recently, the mayor of Santorini Nikos Zorzos expressed his optimism about how things will unfold.
“This is a phenomenon that will end. It cannot last forever. [These earthquakes] will last a few days, some weeks and they will stop . . . Santorini will become the way it was.”
Zorzo’s opinion echoes most scientists’ view that the recent seismic activity could last for a while, from days to even months, while they have ruled out a massive earthquake with a magnitude of over 6.
Santorini’s mayor said that local authorities are fully prepared, in cooperation with the relevant ministry, to handle any emergency that may arise due to the prolonged seismic activity.
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