Santorini shakes off quake fears as tourism optimism rises
After a series of tremors that struck Santorini at the beginning of the year, the island's tourism industry is concerned about a potential decrease in visitor numbers. For those who choose to visit despite these worries, it might present an opportunity for a more affordable holiday.
According to CNN, from 26th January to 22nd February, more than 20,000 small earthquakes with magnitudes of 1 or greater were recorded off the coast of Santorini. One of them reached a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. A significant number of local residents, chiefly families with young children and seasonal workers, evacuated the volcanic island. Building projects were suspended, bringing the tranquil period on the island to a halt.
The state of emergency on Santorini was lifted only at the beginning of March, prompting residents to return to their homes. Schools reopened, and construction work that had been paused was resumed. Many residents of this tourist island are now contemplating how the earthquakes will affect tourism, especially as summer approaches.
Markos Chaidemenos, whose family owns five hotels on Santorini that form part of the Canaves Collection, stated that there have been no cancellations. However, bookings slowed during the peak seismic activity.
Now that confidence is rebounding quickly, especially for a destination as beloved as Santorini, we’re seeing more bookings coming in. People want to travel to the island for the iconic sunsets, unforgettable experiences and world-class hospitality, said Chaidemenos in an interview with CNN.
This is a chance for cheaper holidays
Philip Dragoumis, who owns a small hotel in Santorini, remarked in an interview with CNN that this period is a good opportunity for customers seeking more affordable holidays. - It is probably a good time to book [a vacation] now. The prices have come down a bit, there is less demand, so there should be some better opportunities, he said.
Dragoumis noted that Santorini might not be as crowded as previous record years, when tourist numbers surged to 3.4 million. This is good news for those averse to crowds. Santorini might see fewer visitors this year, partly due to fears of a possible volcanic eruption. However, scientists are providing reassurance.
When the series of earthquakes began, there was speculation that the underwater Kolumbo volcano near Santorini might be active. An eruption was anticipated. Experts studying the volcano emphasise, however, that the seismic activity observed on Santorini was tectonic rather than volcanic and originated from faults in the Anydros basin, where the volcano is located.
