The future of Santorini’s tourism hinges on critical infrastructure upgrades, emphasized during a recent visit by Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Christos Stylianidis and Secretary General of Maritime Affairs and Ports Evangelos Kyriazopoulos. The officials met with Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos and local leaders to address the island’s infrastructure needs and implement protective measures following recent landslides.
“It is our responsibility to support Santorini, Greece’s premier destination,” said Stylianidis. “We must find common solutions based on the convergence of interests with a single goal: to ensure the best for the island and for Greek tourism.”
The visit, prompted by an interministerial decision and ordered by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focused on measures to improve visitor access and safety in landslide-prone areas. During his visit, Stylianidis inspected the port of Athinios and the Ammoudi settlement, reviewed pending issues with the local port authority, and visited a property donated by the municipality to the Greek Coastguard for housing needs.
Stylianidis acknowledged the need for substantial infrastructure development to maintain Santorini's status as a top global destination. Earlier this year, the Santorini Hoteliers Association (SHA) reiterated their call for government action to upgrade infrastructure to meet the high tourist demand and proposed the creation of a destination management organization (DMO).
The SHA highlighted that inadequate infrastructure not only affects the lives of local residents but may also contribute to a decline in tourist bookings compared to previous years. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and appeal of Santorini as a leading tourist destination.
