With a clear message of safety and optimism, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, during her official visit to London, reassured the international media that Santorini and its neighboring islands are fully prepared to welcome visitors for the new tourist season.
In interviews with leading British and global outlets—including The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Financial Times, BBC Radio 4, Monocle Radio, and CGTN—Kefalogianni emphasized the island’s readiness.
“Santorini and the neighboring islands are safe, and the infrastructure functions normally. Visitors should feel confident they can visit them,” the minister stated. Having visited Santorini earlier that week, she added, “I can tell you that the island remains unique and attractive.” Kefalogianni noted that the government acted swiftly to ensure citizens’ safety when increased seismic activity was recorded in early February. “Now the scientists have given us the green light, residents have returned, and professionals across all sectors are gearing up for the season. Santorini is ready to welcome visitors,” she affirmed.
Adding to this, Antonis Pagonis, president of the Santorini Hoteliers Association, addressed rampant misinformation in an interview with GTP Headlines. “Santorini has been mercilessly hit with targeted fake news for many days. This is truly outrageous,” Pagonis said, urging the public, tour operators, and travel agents to rely on credible sources. He pointed out that outdated videos, including one from CNN that aired on February 5th, were falsely presented as current. “Websites claim Santorini is closed for the next two or three months. All of this is perjury,” he said, revealing that the association has already issued extrajudicial notices to those responsible. “The same will be done by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), the Tourism Ministry, and the Municipality of Thira,” he added. Pagonis stressed that these false reports harm the island’s reputation but reassured everyone that “Santorini is back to 100 percent normality. Everything is open, and all the swimming pools are full!”
Kefalogianni highlighted Greece’s sustainable tourism strategy, particularly in popular destinations like Santorini. “It’s an issue we take seriously, but not something we’ve had problems with, thanks to a multitude of measures to manage visitors at peak times and in specific locations,” she explained. She pointed to the success of extending the tourism season beyond summer, noting record visitor numbers in October and November 2024.
The minister outlined the Ministry of Tourism’s broader vision for sustainable development, including a pioneering global hotel classification system based on sustainability and environmental impact. She also emphasized the role of digital innovation, such as the “mAiGreece” mobile app, launched last summer, which enhances the travel experience with personalized, AI-driven services. Upgrades to Greece’s digital presence—such as the revamped visitgreece.gr portal and new platforms promoting marine, wellness, mountain, agro- and gastronomic tourism—were cited as key initiatives.
Together, Kefalogianni and Pagonis painted a picture of a resilient, thriving Santorini, debunking rumors and showcasing Greece’s forward-thinking approach to tourism.
Source: APE-MPA, GTP Headlines