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Home » TOURISM NEWS » Santorini Struggles with Tourism Crisis: Thriving Days, Desolate Nights What To Know About Sunday, June 29, 2025Santorini, one of the most iconic Greek islands, is facing an unexpected tourism crisis. While the island’s picturesque beaches and stunning views draw large crowds during the day, the once-bustling evenings have turned eerily quiet. Local businesses, particularly in Fira and Oia, are grappling with lower-than-usual revenue, despite daily foot traffic. The image of Santorini as a vibrant, busy tourist hub is quickly giving way to a ghost town after the sun sets. Here’s what’s causing this shift and what it means for visitors and locals alike.A Dream Destination with a Bitter RealityFamed for its whitewashed buildings and azure blue domes, Santorini is often the poster child of Greek island getaways. The island has earned its spot as a dream destination, drawing travelers from around the world, especially from cruise ships. However, the recent reality is far from the picture-perfect images shared on social media. Gianluca Chimenti, a local tour operator who’s lived on the island for nearly two decades, has raised alarms about what he calls “the worst season ever.” While tourists flood the streets during the day, by night, the island feels deserted.Daytime Crowds, Nighttime DesertionDuring peak hours, Santorini is alive with visitors eager to snap selfies, enjoy the views, and experience its famous sunset. However, the contrast after dusk is striking—empty streets, vacant restaurants, and quiet hotels. The majority of cruise passengers who arrive during the day return to their ships, leaving behind an island that feels more like a ghost town than a vibrant holiday destination. As Chimenti puts it, “The island is empty. Right now is like never before.”Despite the influx of tourists during the day, businesses are struggling to make a profit. With hotel occupancy down to just 30% of what it should be, locals are beginning to question whether the over-tourism narrative is even accurate. Chimenti believes that it’s not the overwhelming numbers of tourists that are the issue, but rather a lack of infrastructure to support them.A Misleading Image: Over-Tourism or Under-Development?The concept of over-tourism in Santorini has been widely discussed, but Chimenti argues that the real problem lies in the island’s limited capacity to handle the high volumes of tourists, especially those visiting for short stints. The lack of long-term stay options is leaving businesses in a difficult position, with limited foot traffic translating to less spending. This leaves many shops, restaurants, and accommodations struggling to make ends meet.Santorini’s charm as a quaint island is undeniable, but its tourism infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with the modern realities of mass tourism. Short-term visits from cruise ship passengers may give the illusion of a thriving economy, but the low spending power of tourists only here for a day is unsustainable for the island’s local businesses.Tourism Is Changing: What Can Visitors Expect?For visitors heading to Santorini, it’s important to manage expectations. While the island offers breathtaking views and a romantic atmosphere, it’s also becoming a destination with growing pains. The lack of night-time activities and the absence of longer-staying tourists means that the experience is beginning to feel disjointed.That said, Santorini remains a beautiful place to explore, especially for those seeking a quieter experience outside the peak hours. Visiting during the early morning or late evening can provide a more peaceful experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the views without the crowds.What Needs to Change?Santorini needs to rethink its tourism model. Instead of catering predominantly to the influx of cruise passengers, the island could benefit from focusing on longer stay tourists who contribute more to the economy. Expanding accommodation options, improving public transportation, and offering alternative experiences could help spread out the demand and keep the island’s charm intact. The focus should shift to sustainable tourism that ensures local businesses thrive while preserving the island’s authentic beauty.Conclusion: The Changing Face of SantoriniSantorini is at a crossroads, caught between its image as the perfect Instagram destination and the reality of a tourism slump that has left it feeling empty by night. While daytime crowds flock to the island to see its famous sunsets, locals are struggling with unpredictable tourism and underdeveloped infrastructure. For now, it’s clear that Santorini needs to rethink how it manages tourism in a way that supports local businesses while maintaining the island’s allure for visitors.As tourism continues to evolve in Santorini, travelers should remain mindful of the island’s limitations and consider sustainable travel practices to help preserve its natural beauty and cultural heritage.«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»

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