Santorini, the picture-perfect Greek island known for its stunning sunsets and iconic white-washed buildings with azure blue roofs, is facing a severe crisis, according to a major Greek newspaper.
The Santorini Press has unveiled the “real reason” behind the island’s struggles – the overwhelming influx of tourists. With a permanent population of just 20,000 people, Santorini attracts a staggering 3.4 million visitors annually, a number that is expected to continue rising.
The sheer volume of tourists is putting immense pressure on the island’s infrastructure, particularly its ports. The newspaper reports that on a single day, cruise ships can disembark the equivalent of almost the entire population of Santorini, leading to “traffic chaos and long delays.”
This situation not only affects the visitor experience but also the local economy, as businesses depend on the smooth flow of tourists. The newspaper emphasizes that the “experience of visitors to our islands should be wonderful and not a grim reality, where due to so many years of inaction we have come to the point of simply asking for the obvious! Infrastructure.”
To address the issue, Greek authorities have introduced a new tourist tax of 10 euros for cruise ship passengers, which they hope will help alleviate some of the pressure on the ports and contribute to necessary infrastructure improvements.
The Santorini Press calls for an “immediate improvement” to the port, stating that it is imperative for the island’s future and the “sustainable development of tourism.” The newspaper warns that Santorini is at a “crucial point” in terms of its ability to handle the overwhelming influx of visitors, and urgent action is required to prevent the island from reaching a breaking point.
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