By Abbie Wightwick Beth Hardie Matt Atherton
Despite being one of the most photographed islands in Greece, lauded for its breathtaking beauty and captivating sunsets, local businesses in Santorini are facing difficulties, says a local tour operator. Greece is famed for its picturesque islands. With a total of 6,000 islands and islets, 227 of which are inhabited, it’s a haven for globetrotters. The beautiful beaches, hidden coves and caves, significant archaeological sites and awe-inspiring landscapes attract millions of tourists each year. The volcanic island of Santorini has been a hit with holidaymakers since the 1970s, consistently drawing visitors to its dazzling white-washed houses and magnificent hilltop views of the surrounding turquoise waters. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What鈥檚 On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Last year was no different. However, a local from the beauty spot said that despite the influx of visitors, businesses were struggling due to under capacity. Gianluca Chimenti, a local tour operator who has lived on Santorini for 18 years, said that while the streets were bustling with people during the day, come nightfall, the place transformed into a ghost town, reports the Mirror . Greece, despite seeing a resurgence as a holiday hotspot, is grappling with the challenge of accommodating a surge in tourists whilst preserving the quality of life on Santorini for locals. During peak season, hordes of up to 17,000 cruise ship passengers descend daily on the island, flocking to Fira and Oia, renowned for their stunning sunsets. Santorini has been affectionately dubbed ‘Instagram Island’ due to its stunning vistas and picturesque streets. It is a magnet for travellers the world over. Come dusk, the island’s quaint alleyways and charming terraces are inundated with tourists eager to capture the perfect shot, but peace descends once more after the sun sets and they return to their ships. Chimenti spoke out on CNN about the issue. “The problem is that the social media are showing something completely different from what is the reality,” he said. “The truth is that the island is empty. Right now is like never before, it’s the worst season ever.” He shared alarming statistics demonstrating that “the hotels right now are more or less under 30% of a normal season,” and pointed out the negative impact this had on other businesses, such as local restaurants across the island. Chimenti believed the false perception of rampant over-tourism was scaring off those looking to enjoy Santorini during quieter times or wishing to relax without the crowds. He emphasised: “Over-tourism doesn’t exist. What I see is a lack of structures.” Chimenti argued for better planning in tourist hotspots, noting Santorini’s significance. “Santorini has one of the most important archaeological sites right now in Europe,” he affirmed. “Why are cruise ships not organising tours to the archaeological sites? “If you split the people in three parts of the island, so at different times they are doing multiple things, they have time to enjoy and you will never have crowds in any part of the island.”