Saturday, June 28, 2025

Santorini, Greece—widely known for its iconic and mesmerizing sunsets—is facing a troubling season of tourism decline. Despite being a major tourist destination for decades, the island is experiencing an unsettling phenomenon where bustling daytime crowds give way to empty streets by night. are grappling with undercapacity, leaving the once-thriving island feeling like a . This comes as fights to balance a surge in tourism with the needs of its residents, highlighting the ongoing struggle between and sustainability.

Santorini’s , , and have earned it a reputation as a . Each year, millions of travelers flock to the island, drawn by its and charming atmosphere. Yet, , a local tour operator, raised concerns that despite the crowds during the day, the island’s businesses are not seeing the usual benefits of high tourist traffic. According to Chimenti, while the island’s famous streets may be flooded with tourists during the day, the island becomes eerily quiet once the sun sets.

“The truth is that the island is empty,” Chimenti said. “Right now, it’s the worst season ever.”

Santorini’s fame as an has contributed to a booming tourism industry. , , and stunning make the island irresistible to travelers. However, the bustling crowds that flock to and during the day are often nowhere to be found when night falls. Chimenti believes that the influx of , which can reach up to , is causing congestion during the day. Yet, when the tourists return to their ships by evening, the island’s disappears.

For locals, the problem isn’t too many visitors—it’s the misalignment between the tourist demand and the island’s ability to handle it effectively. Chimenti points out that while paints a picture of overwhelming crowds, the reality is that many businesses are operating well below capacity. “The hotels are barely at of a normal season, and eateries are feeling the pinch,” he explained.

Many potential visitors, discouraged by the , are opting for off-peak or less popular destinations. Chimenti believes this is largely due to of on social media, which exaggerate the congestion. “ doesn’t exist,” he said. “What I see is a lack of structures.” Instead of , Santorini’s tourism issue lies in poor and an overreliance on cruise ships, which tend to flood the island in short bursts without spreading the flow of visitors more evenly.

Chimenti believes that the key to revitalizing Santorini’s tourism is not to discourage visitors, but to . He suggests that instead of focusing solely on the island’s most famous spots, there should be more promotion of its , including and . He points out that Santorini has some of the most important archaeological sites in , which are largely ignored by cruise operators. By splitting the crowds into different parts of the island and offering more diverse activities, Santorini can maintain its status as a top-tier destination while avoiding the mass congestion that currently affects it.

“Why aren’t cruise ships organizing tours to the archaeological sites?” Chimenti asked. “If we spread the people out, they’ll have time to enjoy everything, and we’ll never have crowds in one place.”

Santorini’s struggles with over-tourism are not a problem of too many visitors, but of how to manage them effectively. By addressing the imbalanced distribution of tourists and promoting sustainable tourism, Santorini could preserve its charming atmosphere while ensuring its residents and businesses thrive. The challenge is clear: how can a beloved tourist destination offer an authentic experience without sacrificing its appeal to those seeking the quintessential Greek vacation? With thoughtful adjustments, Santorini could regain its balance, giving both visitors and locals the best of what the island has to offer.

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