February notes the unofficial beginning of the tourist season on the Greek island of Santorini – when the first cruise ships and the onset of Easter holidays come.
But with the thousands of earthquakes that crack the island since January, and experts cannot say when they are over, one cruise has already turned away, and there is fears that the most important industry on the island may face a difficult year.
“We have seen the fall of orders in the last two days, but we hope it will be short-lived,” says Antonis Pogonis, president of the Greek Hotel Association.
But even if tourists do not choose elsewhere this year, hotels still face the prospect of not having enough employees to serve their guests.
Santorini – one of the most visited Islands of Greece – largely relies on seasonal workers from other parts of Greece and abroad, which help the permanent population just over 15,000 to serve tens of thousands of tourists every day at the peak of the season.
But the uncertainty compared to how the push will affect the number of tourists, forced some workers to reconsider their options this summer.
“The point is not that I am afraid of earthquakes – Santorini always cracks,” says Manos, who spent the last five summer, working as a bartender on the island.
His work requires, and the crowd swelling at the peak of the tourist season, but financial awards have always done it. This year he is afraid that it will not be.
“I worry that there will be no tourists enough. If the season is weak, I may not earn so much money, otherwise they may not be needed throughout the summer. I can’t risk it.”
Instead, Manos says he got a job in Corfu and will not return to Santorin this year.
And in the summer, not only the island requires a temporary labor – now the time when builders are needed to restore hotels on the eve of summer.
This work stopped because of the problems of the earthquake security, and the owners of the hotel – are concerned that the workers will go to another place – they are pushing the government to continue to pay much of their salary until the work begins again.
“We have submitted the government a number of proposals to support both the existing workforce on the island and those who want to work during the season,” says Mr. Pogonis.
He adds that the government has responded positively, but “you still have to find out if these measures will be implemented.”
While the Greek authorities quickly responded to the risks that relate to the jolts – placing rescue groups on Santorini and presenting a state of emergency to accelerate assistance – some in the tourism industry claim that this should be followed with investment in the island’s infrastructure.
“The problems will not disappear as soon as the earthquakes stop,” says Margarita Karamoleg, who has four hotels in Santorin.
“During the season, 70,000 workers and 160,000 visitors sees on the island daily. While the state acted quickly in response to the earthquake, we have long asked for improvements, for example, a new port.”
There are also calls for tougher rules in private rental facilities that may not meet the same safety standards as the island hotel.
Santorini accounts for about 2.5% of the Greek gross product (GDP), which brings about 5.9 billion euros (£ 4.9 billion) annually.
Until now, the hotel has reported a decrease in reservation, and the industry professionals warn that if the situation remains for another month, the impact on the business may be serious.
During a visit to the island on Friday, Prime Minister Kirakas Mitsatakis recognized the importance of defending Santorini’s reputation, calling it a “landmark tourist direction” and said: “Our duty to defend it, retain its reputation and guarantee that 2025. This is another wonderful year for tourism. “
Ms. Karamolkol, four hotels of 120 employees, admits problems and admits that if the jolt continues for much longer, she may have to detain the opening of hotels and enterprises. But it remains optimistic about the future of the most important branch of the island.
“We have been doing this business for decades, working at the highest level. I am sure that even with fewer employees our services will remain exceptional.”
