**Santorini Faces Uncertainty as Earthquakes Threaten Tourism Season**

There are fears over the summer tourist season as local businesses and workers reconsider their future amid a surge in earthquakes on Santorini.

February marks the anticipated start of the tourist season for Santorini, Greece, heralded by the arrival of the first cruise ships and the Easter holidays. However, the island is currently shaken by a series of earthquakes that began in January. With over thousands of seismic events recorded and no clear end in sight, concerns are mounting over the potential impact on the tourism industry, which is vital for the local economy.

Antonis Pagonis, the president of Greece's Association of Hoteliers, noted, “In the past two days, we have seen a drop in bookings, but we hope this will be short-lived.” Despite hopeful sentiment, the ongoing uncertainty has led to some cruise operators canceling trips to the island, raising alarms over a challenging year ahead for Santorini's hospitality sector.

The island, which typically swells from its permanent population of around 15,000 to a peak of tens of thousands of tourists daily in the summer, heavily relies on seasonal workers. Many of these workers come from other regions of Greece and abroad, essential for handling the influx of visitors. Yet, the persistent tremors have prompted some workers to seek more stable employment options elsewhere. Manos, a bartender who has spent five summers in Santorini, expressed his concerns: “I’m worried there won’t be enough tourists. If the season is weak, I might not make as much money, or they might not need me for the whole summer. I can’t take that risk.” He has since secured a job in Corfu instead.

Construction work, which is vital for refurbishing hotels ahead of the summer season, has also halted due to safety concerns generated by the earthquake swarms. Hotel owners are advocating for government support to maintain salaries for displaced workers until activity can safely resume. Pagonis stated, “We have submitted a series of proposals to the government to support both the existing workforce on the island and those looking to work during the season.” There has been a positive governmental response, but the implementation of these measures remains uncertain.

While authorities have acted promptly to address risks associated with the seismic activity—deploying rescue teams and declaring a state of emergency—industry stakeholders point to the need for significant infrastructural investments. Margarita Karamolegkou, a local hotelier, remarked, “The challenges won’t disappear once the earthquakes stop. During the season, the island sees 70,000 workers and 160,000 visitors daily. We have long been asking for improvements such as a new port.”

Santorini is not just a tourist destination; it contributes approximately 2.5% to Greece's GDP, generating around €5.9 billion annually. While there haven't been any cancellations reported yet, the overall decline in bookings has industry professionals anxious, especially if the situation continues to deteriorate for another month. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during a visit to the island, emphasized the importance of maintaining Santorini's reputation as a leading tourist destination: “It is our duty to protect it, preserve its reputation, and ensure that 2025 is another excellent year for tourism.” Despite admitting there are real difficulties ahead, Karamolegkou remains hopeful: “We have been in this business for decades, operating at the highest level. I am confident that even with fewer staff, our services will remain exceptional.”