Santorini fears for summer tourist season as earthquakes hit island

During the season, the island sees 70,000 workers and 160,000 visitors daily. While the state has acted quickly in response to the earthquake, we have long been asking for improvements such as a new port.

There are also calls for stricter regulations on private rental properties, which may not meet the same safety standards as the islands hotels.

Santorini accounts for around 2.5% of Greeces gross domestic product (GDP), generating an estimated €5.9bn (£4.9bn) annually.

While there have been no cancellations so far, hoteliers are reporting a decline in bookings and industry professionals warn that if the situation persists for another month, the impact on businesses could be severe.

During a visit to the island on Friday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the importance of protecting Santorinis reputation, describing it as an iconic tourist destination and saying: It is our duty to protect it, preserve its reputation, and ensure that 2025 is another excellent year for tourism.

Ms Karamolegkou, whose four hotels employ 120 staff, acknowledges the challenges and admits that if the tremors continue much longer, she may have to delay opening her hotels and businesses. But she remains optimistic about the future of the islands most important industry.

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.