Despite being welcomed as one of the world's most iconic destinations, Greece's Santorini is currently facing an extraordinary problem as its bustling town has been empty since 6pm, leaving abandoned roads behind, increasing the sense of uncertainty among struggling businesses, locals.
Known for its whitewashed buildings, navy blue ure domes and famous sunsets, Santorini attracts millions of tourists each year. During the peak summer, as many as 17,000 cruise ship passengers descend on the island, concentrating on popular towns like Fira and Oia. However, according to Gianluca Chimenti, a local tour operator who has lived on the island for 18 years, the crowd disappears as quickly as it arrived.
“Social media shows something completely different from reality,” Chimenti told CNN. “The truth is that the island is empty after the ship departs. It's like a ghost town, and it's the worst season I've ever seen.”
Cruise ships usually dock in the morning and leave by the evening.
The influx of tourists clogs the island during the day, but the island's economy relies on sustained visitors staying overnight. Santorini is becoming less and less.
Chimenti estimates that hotel occupancy has dropped to about 30% of normal levels this year, resulting in restaurants and shops suffering as a result.
“It's a system failure,” Chimenta said.
“Tourists want to visit, but they are scared of the perception of overtourism. Meanwhile, we're sitting here in an empty room and an empty table.”
He believes part of the solution lies in smarter tourism management.
“Santorini has one of Europe's most important archaeological sites, but it is rarely included in cruise tours.
“If tourists spread across different parts of the island at different times, this bottleneck will not result in emptiness.”
Santorini's beauty continues to attract global acclaim, but the current model, driven by short-term cruise visits, has proven unsustainable for locals.
The current challenge is to find a balance between maintaining the island's charm and revitalizing the local economy.
