Latest news with #YannisParaschis
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Popular Greek island flooded with tourists abandoned for key reason
Visitor numbers to one of Greece's most iconic islands - known for its blue-domed buildings and stunning beaches - have taken a sharp slump, in what could be a huge blow for the country's economy It seems Brits are finally turning their back on one of the most desirable holiday hotspots in Greece, following years of soaring demand. Last year, a staggering 3.4 million visitors flocked to the tiny island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Famed for its blue-domed buildings, syrup-like sunsets, and stunning beaches, the Cyclades isle has become one of the most popular destinations in the world. But measuring in at just 29.4 square miles, and with a permanent population of only 15,000 - Santorini's tourist boom has been met with fierce backlash. Images posting on social media reveal just how insufferably busy and crowded the island has gotten in recent years, worsened by the coach loads of tourists herded off giant cruise ships during the peak summer season. The unsustainable influx has resulted in calls to half construction on the island, with mayor Nikos Zorzos arguing: "We don't need any more hotels or any more rented rooms. If you destroy the landscape, one as rich as ours, you destroy the very reason people come here in the first place." READ MORE: Major Spanish city where curfew rules are in place and what it means for Brits However, it seems like tourist numbers are sharply falling this year, and not because of anti-tourist sentiment. "In Santorini, available airline seats are down 26 per cent from the beginning of the year to date," president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Yannis Paraschis, said. "But the indications we have in terms of supply of seats are down in the range of seven to eight per cent for the summer, so we expect a result with losses of 10-15 per cent." The slump is being blamed on recent earthquake activity, which caused thousands of tremors on the island. Back in February, Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on the island, while almost 15,000 people fled their homes. As previously reported, a 4.6-magnitude quake struck the sea between Santorini and Amorgos at 8.16pm local time, followed by a 4.2-magnitude tremor roughly two hours later. The shocks come after a powerful 5.2-magnitude earthquake rattled the region earlier that week, the strongest recorded so far. Speaking to Euronews, president of the Santorini hoteliers Antonis Pagoni warned the falling figures could wreak havoc on Greece's economy. "Right now we are moving at -25 to -30 per cent," he said. "It's a huge reduction in a destination like Santorini that attracts more than three million visitors." Antonis argued that holidays to Santorini account for around 10 per cent of Greek tourism - which generated a whopping €21.6 billion (approx £18.39 billion) in revenue last year, a 12.8 per cent increase compared to 2023. "We are not sure if Greece can afford to lose that revenue," he added. The FCDO does not currently warn against visiting Greece, but does refer to earthquakes under its 'Safety and Security' page'. "The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025," it states. "This increase has since subsided and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual." The government body advises tourists to familiarise themselves with 'safety procedures' in case they are caught up in a tremor. "Follow the advice given by the local authorities [and] call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger," it stated.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Greece panic as tourists abandon one of its 'most popular' islands
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, Santorini is experiencing a decline in tourists. For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, Santorini is witnessing a drop in tourists. Unlike previous years, visitors to one of Greece's most popular islands are not finding themselves amidst dense crowds, but instead Fira's main street is largely deserted. Earlier this year, earthquake activity on Santorini has put off many international visitors from choosing it as their holiday destination. While arrivals have been on the rise in recent weeks, the numbers are significantly lower than the peaks seen in past years. According to Yannis Paraschis, president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), "available airline seats are down 26% from the beginning of the year to date. But the indications we have in terms of supply of seats are down in the range of 7%-8% for the summer, so we expect a result with losses of 10%-15%". Antonis Pagoni, the president of the Santorini hoteliers, told Euronews he anticipates a continued decline in tourist traffic and warned that the effects will ripple through the entire Greek economy, reports the Express. "The president of SETE talked about airport arrivals," he added, "but I will unfortunately say that overall arrivals will be down about 20%-25%. Right now we are moving at -25% to -30%. It's a huge reduction in a destination like Santorini that attracts more than 3 million visitors. You know, it's 10% of Greek tourism. We are not sure if Greece can afford to lose that revenue." Currently, hotels are slashing room prices to entice last-minute holidaymakers. The global cost-of-living crisis is also leaving its mark on Santorini. This season, tourists are tightening their belts, resulting in fewer hotel reservations and a downturn for local enterprises dependent on tourism, as visitors cut back on expenditure for dining and keepsakes. Nonetheless, the allure of Santorini remains undiminished, with three cruise liners docking daily, each delivering thousands keen to discover the island's marvels. The impending cruise tax, set to be implemented from July, is not anticipated to deter this year's influx of cruise visitors. In the midst of these developments, Santorini's mayor, Nikos Zorzos, has underscored the urgency for a "saturation law" on the island, contending that there is no need for additional lodgings. "Santorini does not need any more beds. I say this with great certainty, with as much certainty as I know that my name is Nikos," he declared. He is advocating for governmental support to enhance public infrastructure, highlighting that Santorini has made substantial contributions to the national treasury without seeing proportional benefits in return. British tourists travelling to Greece this summer have been warned of the penalties for drug smuggling after the Foreign Office updated its travel guidance for the popular holiday hotspot. Greek travellers are being made aware of improved scanning technology which is now being used at several airports across the country ahead of the holiday season.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- The Independent
The iconic holiday spot losing tourists over earthquake fears
Santorini is expected to see fewer tourists this summer due to earthquake activity earlier in the year. Tourist traffic has declined following thousands of tremors in January and February, with airline seats down 26 per cent from the start of the year, according to the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE). Yannis Paraschis of SETE said he anticipates overall losses of 10-15 per cent for the summer, marking the first drop in tourist numbers since the 2020 pandemic. Antonis Pagoni, president of Santorini hoteliers, reports overall arrivals have fallen by 20-30 per cent, a significant reduction for the popular destination. The UK Foreign Office said the earthquake activity in February had subsided but advised tourists to be aware of safety procedures.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- The Independent
Is earthquake activity deterring tourists from Santorini?
Santorini may welcome fewer tourists this summer after earthquake activity earlier in the year appears to have deterred visitors from booking holidays to the Greek hotspot. Tourist traffic has reportedly declined on the popular Cycladic island in the wake of thousands of tremors throughout January and February. In February, the whitewashed villages of Santorini were rattled by high seismic activity, and incessant tremors emptied towns of residents and tourists. A state of emergency was declared by Greek authorities for at least a month as the Greek prime minister urged residents to stay calm. Yannis Paraschis, president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) said that available airline seats are down 26 per cent from the beginning of the year, reported Euronews. Although numbers have improved in the build-up to peak summer travel, visitor footfall remains down on previous years. Mr Paraschis added: 'The indications we have in terms of supply of seats are down in the range of 7 to 8 per cent for the summer, so we expect a result with losses of 10 to 15 per cent.' It is the first year Santorini has reported a drop in tourist numbers since the pandemic in 2020. Santorini welcomed an estimated 3.4 million visitors in 2024. Antonis Pagoni, president of the Santorini hoteliers, told Euronews that overall arrivals on the island have fallen between 20 and 30 per cent. 'It's a huge reduction in a destination like Santorini that attracts more than 3 million visitors," said Mr Pagoni. 'You know, it's 10 per cent of Greek tourism. We are not sure if Greece can afford to lose that revenue." The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advise tourists travelling to Greece: 'The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual.' It warns holidaymakers to familiarise themselves with earthquake safety procedures and follow the advice from local authorities.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tourist numbers on Santorini drop as earthquake fears keep visitors away
The main street without many people, alleys that are not crowded with visitors; these are uncommon sights during the summer months in Santorini's capital, Fira. For the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic, Santorini, one of the most popular Greek islands, is experiencing a decline in tourist traffic. Earthquake activity on the island earlier this year deterred many international visitors from choosing it for their summer holidays. In recent weeks, arrivals have been increasing, but the numbers are far short of the highs of previous years. "In Santorini, available airline seats are down 26% from the beginning of the year to date. But the indications we have in terms of supply of seats are down in the range of 7%-8% for the summer, so we expect a result with losses of 10%-15%," said president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Yannis Paraschis. The president of the Santorini hoteliers, Antonis Pagoni, told Euronews he estimates a further fall in tourist traffic and warned that the effects will spread throughout the entire Greek economy. "The president of SETE talked about airport arrivals," he added, "but I will unfortunately say that overall arrivals will be down about 20%-25%. Right now we are moving at -25% to -30%. It's a huge reduction in a destination like Santorini that attracts more than 3 million visitors. You know, it's 10% of Greek tourism. We are not sure if Greece can afford to lose that revenue." The island's hoteliers are offering discounts on room rates to attract last-minute tourists. Almost every day three cruise ships stop in Santorini and thousands of visitors get off to admire the island's sights. The cruise tax, which will finally start to be collected from July, is not expected to affect this year's cruise ship arrivals. Related Santorini targeted by fake volcano eruption videos Black sands and famous sunsets: Top things to do as Santorini reopens after a month of earthquakes At the same time, the cost of living crisis affecting many parts of the world is also leaving its mark on Santorini. This year, visitors are more restrained in their spending and this can be seen not only in hotel bookings but also in the alleys of the Greek islands. According to shop owners, tourists this year are spending significantly less than in previous years, not only on dining but also on buying souvenirs.
