Santorini's Tourism Dilemma: Balancing Dream Destinations and Local Livelihoods

Santorini, a Greek island renowned for its sunsets and white-washed homes, faces challenges due to overwhelming tourism. With 3.4 million visitors annually, the island's infrastructure is strained and housing becomes unaffordable for locals. Authorities propose visitor caps to protect the island's character and residents' quality of life.

Armed with selfie sticks and phones, tourists flood into Santorini from everywhere—on dinghies from giant ocean liners, on coaches zigzagging up steep hillsides, and atop donkeys clip-clopping along the narrow cobbled streets.

Braving the heat, many seek good spots among white-washed houses and blue-domed churches to watch the famed sunset. As the sun dips, more join, squeezing along the cliffside or onto balconies. Some, like American tourist Maria Tavarez, fulfill lifelong dreams.

But for Santorini's 20,000 permanent residents, mass tourism has ruined the idyllic island of quaint villages and pristine beaches. As protests against excessive tourism erupt in places like Venice and Barcelona, Santorini stands as a stark example of tourism's impact.

Island authorities, like mayor Nikos Zorzos, urge a cap on visitors. Growing numbers of tourists—3.4 million last year—are straining infrastructure and pricing locals out of housing.

Zorzos has long pushed for a cap on cruise ship visitors, proposing a limit of 8,000 a day, down from 17,000. Even business owners like Georgios Damigos, who runs a 14-room hotel, express concern. Santorini's tourism boom, mirrored across Greece, raises national tourism revenues but poses local challenges.

For Alexandros Pelekanos, vice president of the island's trade association, strategic planning can balance tourism with infrastructure needs. Meanwhile, tourists cheerfully trundle past signs reading 'RESPECT. It's your holiday... but it's our home.'

Portuguese tourist Rita Critovao finds the island beautiful despite the crowds, advising everyone to visit.

(With inputs from agencies.)