Santorini’s Cruise Operations Adjusted Due to Cycladic Seismic Activity

Ongoing seismic activity in the Cyclades is impacting tourism on Santorini. The Viking Star, which was set to start the cruise season in this popular Aegean destination, will change its route and instead dock at Port Chania in Crete on February 10th, bypassing the Santorini Caldera.

Santorini, with a permanent population of only 15,000 to 20,000, welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2023 through various means of transportation, with a substantial number arriving by cruise. The economy of the island heavily depends on tourism, making the fluctuations of cruise arrivals particularly significant. Even if the seismic activity were to decrease, the implementation of landslide protection measures has led to the closure of several important ports, including Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and the Old Port of Fira, which will require careful planning from both cruise lines and the local port authority. The continued operation of the port of Athinios may help alleviate some of the impacts.

Concerns are rising within the tourism sector regarding the fully reopening of the market by Easter, an important travel period for both Catholic and Orthodox tourists. If seismic disturbances persist, Santorini may miss out on the Easter tourist season, which could also affect domestic travel during Carnival, Clean Monday, and the national holiday on March 25th.

However, travel industry experts point out that well-established destinations often recover quickly once challenges stabilize, similar to how Rhodes bounced back after last year’s wildfires. Currently, no cancellations have been reported from airlines, cruise lines, or other major stakeholders, and the future of the tourist season depends on the ongoing seismic situation and the successful implementation of protective measures.

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