According to AFP, Santorini is Greece’s most “Instagrammed” Island, an accolade locals may soon detest. Authorities have talked for years about setting certain limits so that one of the world’s top touristic destinations will not sink because of hypertourism.”
Mayor Nikos Zorzos has been promising drastic changes to alleviate some of the pressure on Santorini, but development continues, and cruise ships clog the caldera. Thousands of travelers flock to the Island once known as Thera to capture selfies against the otherworldly sunsets Santorini is famous for.
Talk But Do Nothing
Things have gotten so bad that people are now queueing to get to the vantage point in the cliff-top village of Oia to capture a glimpse and a “me, me, me, and Santorini selfie.” Last year, a record 32.7 million people visited Greece, and 3.4 million tourists landed on Santorini.
Oversaturation is the problem, and the solution for investors and developers on the Island has been to build more and invite more. According to Zorkos, about 20% of the famous Island is now covered by buildings. A Kathemerini report speaks about the hundreds of tour buses, thousands of mini-busses, and hordes of quad bikes and other vehicles sputtering about the island like a Manhattan Island rush hour.
In 2019, I talked with one of Greece’s most trusted tour experts, Rebecca Skevaki, about the potential for a coming disaster. Back then, the problems were already acute, and the writing was on the wall where overtourism’s effects were concerned. Still, nothing much changed with the inevitable coming on at increasing speed. One of Skevaki’s answers was prophetic, indeed. A rumored GNTO policy that was supposed to be set in place five years ago prompted the tourism expert to comment:
First, let me say this: nowhere does the impact of too many visitors feel more than on Santorini. The island should be a case study for how the GNTO and other stakeholders deal with Greece popularity as a destination. As far as the GNTO’s stated strategy, yes, extending the season is part of the answer. But there is a caveat. If we simply extend the season and welcome still more visitors, the problem will be all the more acute.
Titanic Did Sink
As for prophesies and procrastinations, in 2017, Mayor Zorzos told Gerreek Report that Santorini’s popularity as a year-round tourism destination “might turn against us.” I am sure it’s a coincidence, the irony I mean, that Zorzos was a key figure where magnetizing more tourists and development of the island was concerned two years before his revelation. The boss of Santorini offered this in 2015:
“Santorini may already be acknowledged internationally, but we will not rest on our laurels as we are aiming for the island to always be on the top of the traveler’s mind. “
Looking back, I am sure that the passengers of the Titanic finally realized their ship was going down. One does not have to be an engineer to see the water flooding over the deck. The difference in the Santorini case is the Island is being flooded by people in order that a few can rake in more money.
Of course, Santorini’s mayor has not been alone in his position as talking head for whoever stands behind him. South Aegean Prefect George Hadjimarkos said during the presentation of the initiative back then, “From 2016, we will place Santorini where she deserves to be positioned: on the top, as a queen.” Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura was also cheerleading measures meant to put more revenue in hotelier and developer pockets. Since 2015, the Island has been covered by more than 10% of building structures.
The Color of Money
Three years ago, I reported on Metaxa Group, one of Santorini’s biggest hospitality developers, fumbling their PR talk. As it turns out, the term “Green” for these people means only one thing—more money. Since my scathing report on Metaxa operations, the company has launched the brand new Santo Mine Oia Suites, with 37 suites, and Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas.
Another Santorini development by Metaxa is in adjudication because of the efforts of locals and environmentalists against the development of Vlyhada, on the South Coast of the Island. After having seen how development takes place here on Crete, I would not put money on the Save Vlyhada Group winning the court battle. Metaxa already has a substantial investment there. In a coming report, I’ll be calling to question Crete overdevelopment and the extremely negative role officials are playing here. As for Santorini, it won’t be long (in my opinion) before no one wants a selfie with 100 other people in the photo behind them. The sun is about to set on one of the world’s most amazing destinations.
