February marks the unofficial begin of the vacationer season within the Greek island of Santorini – when the primary cruise ships are because of arrive and the Easter holidays strategy.
However with 1000’s of earthquakes shaking the island since January and consultants unable to say when they’ll finish, one cruise has already turned away and there are fears that the island’s most vital business could possibly be dealing with a troublesome yr.
“Up to now two days, we’ve seen a drop in bookings, however we hope this shall be short-lived,” says Antonis Pagonis, president of Greece’s Affiliation of Hoteliers.
However even when vacationers do not select to go elsewhere this yr, resorts nonetheless face the prospect of not having sufficient employees to serve their visitors come summer season.
Santorini – one in all Greece’s most visited islands – depends closely on seasonal staff from different components of Greece and overseas, who assist the everlasting inhabitants of simply over 15,000 to serve tens of 1000’s of vacationers on the island every day in peak season.
However the uncertainty over how the tremors will have an effect on vacationer numbers has compelled some staff to rethink their choices this summer season.
“It is not that I am afraid of earthquakes—Santorini all the time shakes,” says Manos, who has spent the previous 5 summers working as a bartender on the island.
His job is demanding, with crowds swelling throughout the peak vacationer season, however the monetary rewards have all the time made it worthwhile. This yr he fears that will not be the case.
“I am fearful there will not be sufficient vacationers. If the season is weak, I may not make as a lot cash, or they may not want me for the entire summer season. I can not take that threat.”
As a substitute, Manos says he has taken a job in Corfu and will not be returning to Santorini this yr.
And it is not solely in summer season that the island requires a short lived workforce – now could be the time that development staff are wanted to refurbish resorts forward of the summer season.
That work has floor to a halt due to security considerations over the quakes, and lodge homeowners – involved that staff will go elsewhere – are pushing for the federal government to proceed paying most of their wage till work can begin once more.
“Now we have submitted a sequence of proposals to the federal government to help each the prevailing workforce on the island and people seeking to work throughout the season,” says Mr Pagonis.
He provides that the federal government has responded positively, however “it stays to be seen whether or not these measures shall be carried out”.
Whereas Greek authorities have been fast to answer the dangers posed by the tremors – putting rescue groups on Santorini and introducing a state of emergency to expedite support – some within the tourism business argue that this must be adopted up with funding within the island’s infrastructure.
“The challenges will not disappear as soon as the earthquakes cease,” says Margarita Karamolegkou, who owns 4 resorts in Santorini.
“Throughout the season, the island sees 70,000 staff and 160,000 guests day by day. Whereas the state has acted rapidly in response to the earthquake, we’ve lengthy been asking for enhancements equivalent to a brand new port.”
There are additionally requires stricter rules on personal rental properties, which can not meet the identical security requirements because the island’s resorts.
Santorini accounts for round 2.5% of Greece’s gross home product (GDP), producing an estimated €5.9bn (£4.9bn) yearly.
Whereas there have been no cancellations up to now, hoteliers are reporting a decline in bookings and business professionals warn that if the scenario persists for an additional month, the affect on companies could possibly be extreme.
Throughout a go to to the island on Friday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the significance of defending Santorini’s popularity, describing it as “an iconic vacationer vacation spot” and saying: “It’s our obligation to guard it, protect its popularity, and make sure that 2025 is one other wonderful yr for tourism.”
Ms Karamolegkou, whose 4 resorts make use of 120 employees, acknowledges the challenges and admits that if the tremors proceed for much longer, she could should delay opening her resorts and companies. However she stays optimistic about the way forward for the island’s most vital business.
“Now we have been on this enterprise for many years, working on the highest stage. I’m assured that even with fewer employees, our companies will stay distinctive.”