The Greek island of Alonissos has chosen to celebrate its connection with the sea this year by organizing a symbolic underwater decoration of a Christmas tree.
Alonissos was recently voted by British tour operators as Best Diving Destination at the Greek Travel Awards organized by the UK and Ireland office of the Greek National Tourism Organization.
According to the mayor, Petros Vafinis, the symbolic action seeks to highlight the fact that diving for Alonissos is a “life philosophy” for every moment of the year. It is one which plays a key role in extending the tourism season. The idea was warmly embraced by locals.
It follows a series of underwater events organized on the island, such as an underwater wedding in the summer.
Alonissos is home to great diving locations
The island is also home to some great diving locations, such as the National Marine Park, which is home to the protected monk seal, or the Alonissos Underwater Museum.
The island is a top tourist attraction because of its natural beauty and preservation mindset.
In 1986, the Prefecture of Magnesia to which the island belongs sought to protect the indigenous Mediterranean monk seal with the signing of the first resolution to that effect.
By 1992, the area was officially declared a National Marine Park, when commercial and recreational fishing was banned.
As in much of Greece, however, what is to be preserved and considered natural extends to its ancient history and antiquities.
In 2020, the island showed its innovative nature once more by opening the world’s first underwater museum, the Alonissos Underwater Museum of Peristera.
This underwater museum featured the shipwreck of Peristera from the 5th Century BC and went on to win a European award in the winter of the same year.
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