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Mykonos and Santorini Tourism Season Off to a Slow Start
Posted On 16 Jun 2023
Santorini, Greece.
The tourist season at popular Greek islands Mykonos and Santorini appears to be starting off slowly with arrivals to the two destinations down by as much as 20 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 levels, claim local media.
According to airport managing company Fraport Greece, April air traffic through Mykonos airport was down by 16.3 percent over pre-Covid levels while other regional airports marked increases.
Overall in April, international arrivals to Greece were up by 14.6 percent but down by 29 percent in Mykonos and by 6.4 percent for Santorini while places like Rhodes marked a 31.2 percent rise, Athens (+17.4 percent) and Thessaloniki (+26.8 percent). Turnover was also down by as much as 20 percent for the month.
Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)
Also taking a toll on Mykonos’ reputation over the last few months is the issue a violent assault on an archaeologist overseeing illegal construction activity outside zoning areas and the high fines imposed. At the same time, one of the island’s most popular hot spots Nammos on Psarrou Beach is being torn down for shoreline regulations violations.
At the same time however, Mykonos was the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer report.
Media reports also attribute the island’s poor performance so far to the high prices, which they say are making it near to impossible for Greeks to holiday there while foreign tourists prefer cheaper destinations such as Turkey, Spain, and Morocco.
Just returned from one week in Mykonos. Endless traffic jams. Every commute from the villa has been exhausting and uncomfortable. Chora is packed with people who clearly dont contribute to the islands economy, so say it politely. Whereas the beach clubs were half-empty and missing esprit. On the beach sellers of fake designer bags.
Prices are awful …you can only rip off so many times tourists
Sadly in Crete we are following the example of Mykonos and Santorini. Thankfully we are bigger but still, our most famous towns and beaches are being ruined. Less is more…
The Greek government need to lower fuel duty they are killing the goose that laid the golden egg Crete should also be mentioned as it’s a very slow start here almost snail like.
In Santorini, when the people concerned will understand that the good clientele no longer wants to go to this island because of the dirtiness, and the thousands of cruise passengers who are ruining their lives, to the point of preventing them from circulating and enjoying the places, we will have made a big not. But that’s not tomorrow the day before…
At the same time, dozens of huge hotels ravaging the landscapes have been built in 10 years, the magic of Santorini has disappeared under the concrete, plastic bags and bootles, and the wild transfer minivans. Don’t be surprised that this island will sink soon.
Maybe travellers become to be aware that Mykonos and Santorini are not Greece anymore, with excessive price, crowd, traffic jams and overflow of cruise ships visitors… Maybe it is time to reconsider how to combine revenue, number of visitors that such small places can welcome and environmental protection to keep these islands livable.
“ Media reports also attribute the island’s poor performance so far to the high prices, which they say are making it near to impossible for Greeks to holiday there while foreign tourists prefer cheaper destinations such as Turkey, Spain, and Morocco.”
Surprise? Hardly! Time for Mykonos and Santorini to adapt to current realities of economy…