Tourists flank the Greek island, Santorini for its whitewashed blue-domed cubiform homes, cobble-stoned thoroughfares and pristine sunsets over the Aegean Sea. With beaches made up of white, red and black lava pebbles, and its two principal towns— Fira and Oia— housing the cutest cafes serving Mediterranean fare, it’s no wonder, Santorini welcomes hordes. However, with visitor numbers hitting 3.4 million this summer, this Greek island is slowly starting to feel the heat of overtourism.
Overtourism In Santorini & Greek Islands Strain Nation’s Resources
Greece thrives on tourism. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the island nation relied on tourism for a financial rebound. And in 2023, tourism comprised around one-fifth of the nation’s GDP. A record-breaking number of 32.7 million tourists thronged Greece, an 18 per cent increase from the previous year. This trend trickled to the year 2024 as well. Greece in turn witnessed a substantial rise in the number of tourists from the same period in 2023.
While this would translate to certain gaiety for the country’s economy it also underscores an impending doom on the nation’s resources. Despite the n number of economic benefits of tourism, certain regions of Greece are also feeling the strain of overtourism. Islands in the Aegean Sea like Serifos, Folegandros, and Sifnos have been termed Europe’s most endangered sites by Europa Nostra, a heritage organisation.
Rampant and rapid construction and environmental degradation are some of the challenges faced by the islands which have now started catering to more tourists than locals. As per an article by Times Of India, Mayor Konstantinos Revinthis of Serifos also threw light on issues like worsening traffic congestion and water shortage that will impact both tourists and locals. He warned visitors to prepare to cut down their itineraries as ferry schedules and other facilities may witness disruption. They might also face severe water shortages, where even taking baths may be a massive concern.
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Lack Of Accommodation, Depleting Vineyards & Other Issues
Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos stated that it will be a bad year for Santorini. He said that the island can’t afford a single bed more for accommodation. As the municipality won’t impose a construction ban, he wants to Athens government to push for sustainability reforms. Even if the infrastructure were to improve in Santorini, it still wouldn’t be able to handle the rising number of tourists.
Matthew Argyros who owns a family winery in Santorini, observed, “Tourism has destroyed vineyards.” In the last 20 years, production of Santorini grapes dropped by an alarming 50 per cent. As tourists frequently tread down the grape-dotted vineyards and agricultural lands get wiped out to build holiday homes, it is a matter of grave concern.
Sustainable tourism is the need of the hour. And while it may require capping the number of visitors or charging an entrance fee, for preservation and sustainability of the islands, it is a tough pill tourists and locals may have to swallow.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro
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