Santorini residents urged to stay home as tourist numbers soar
Residents of Santorini Island have been asked by local authorities to limit their movement due to a significant influx of tourists. In just one day, around 11,000 visitors arrived on the island, which is home to approximately 15,000 residents.
9:17 AM EDT, July 25, 2024
The eKathimerini portal reports that Panagiotis Kavallaris, a representative of the authorities on Santorini, posted on social media appealing to the residents to limit their movement due to increased tourist traffic.
Santorini overrun by tourists
The post, which has since been deleted, attracted the attention of the Greek public and resulted in many negative comments. A lockdown was imposed on residents for the sake of tourists, some were annoyed.
The service notes that the authorities on Santorini are concerned about the effects of excessive tourism on the island.
During a meeting of high-ranking representatives of various ministries, the mayor of Santorini, the governor, and deputies from the Cyclades Islands discussed limiting cruises to the island.
Tourist limit to be imposed
Nikos Zorzos, the mayor of Santorini, said that the number of guests arriving on the island daily should not exceed 8,000. He announced that the limit on the number of people coming to Santorini would be reinstated next year. A new port must also be built, along with improvements to energy infrastructure and urban planning, he added. He also advocated for regulating hotel and Airbnb operations.
In a recent report, the Greek Ombudsman stated that the popular Greek island of Santorini, which has a population of about 15,500, receives over five million visitors per year. In 2012, this number was half as much. It was emphasized that on Santorini, "even tourists complain about the large number of tourists."
Many Greeks, regardless of political views, are concerned about excessive tourism.
