Update: Santorini Declares State of Emergency
- Santorini is shaking—literally—thanks to persistent earthquakes.
- The Tourism Ministry is panicking but has a PR plan ready.
- Airlines and ferries are running extra trips to deal with the exodus.
- Hoteliers are worried but not seeing mass cancellations. Yet.
- Tourists and locals are restless; some are scrambling to leave.
Santorini’s infamous sunsets have been upstaged by a series of earthquakes rocking the iconic island. As tremors continue, Greece’s Tourism Ministry has been thrown into a frenzy. Minister Olga Kefalogianni has reportedly prepped a plan to address potential fallout in the international tourism market. The aim? To keep panic in check and minimize damage to the island’s reputation as a premium travel destination.
Government insiders confirm that updates are already being fed to international tourism offices to reassure prospective visitors. However, the ministry remains at the mercy of Greece’s larger government apparatus for final decisions.
Meanwhile, tourism professionals are doing their best to downplay concerns. While acknowledging that frequent earthquakes are unusual for Santorini, they emphasize that the island has always “lived with earthquakes.” Still, many fear the PR handling of this crisis might backfire, tarnishing not only Santorini’s but also Greece’s broader tourism allure.
Flights, Ferries, and Fleeing Tourists
If you’re on Santorini right now, good news: options exist to get off the island. Bad news: they’re crowded. Airlines like Aegean and Sky Express have scrambled to add emergency flights to handle the rising demand for departures. Aegean added two extra flights on Monday and one on Tuesday, maintaining their regular schedule while accommodating panicked passengers.
The maritime side of things is no less hectic. Ships like the Blue Star I and Fast Ferries’ Dionysios Solomos operate at full capacity. To manage the chaos, ferries are even adjusting routes. For instance, the Attica Group scheduled an unscheduled voyage with their vessel “Kissamos” to ensure more people could evacuate. Departing from Heraklion, it’s essentially playing tag with worried residents and tourists trying to skip out before another big shake rattles their nerves.
Key Transport Adjustments:
- Aegean Airlines added three emergency flights over 2 days.
- Sky Express pitched in with four extra flights on Monday and Tuesday.
- Attica Group rerouted multiple ferries to accommodate demand.
Worries Without Cancellations—For Now
Despite the seismic drama, hoteliers report no massive wave of cancellations for upcoming stays. They’re cautiously optimistic but keeping an eye out for changes, particularly from U.S.-based travellers who might trigger strict travel advisories. The current fear among industry insiders isn’t the quakes but the narrative surrounding them. No one wants a media frenzy to turn into a tourism drop-off.
Locals and tourists still on the island—around 2,000 people in total—tell a different story. Anxiety runs high. Many have already fled, and some seasonal workers preparing for summer have packed up early.
But not everything is grinding to a halt. Cruise ships appear unfazed, at least for now. According to the Santorini Port Authority, the Viking Star is still set to dock on February 10, carrying 756 eager passengers, oblivious to whatever tectonic drama they’re sailing into.
For now, Santorini officials are in wait-and-see mode, hoping the tremors settle before the island’s image takes a bigger hit. If you’re planning to visit soon, pack some patience, maybe a safety helmet, and plenty of denial—just like the locals.
Σεισμοί στη Σαντορίνη: «Συναγερμός» στο υπουργείο Τουρισμού – Έτοιμο σχέδιο παρέμβασης
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