Greek tourism industry bounces back despite Europe's cost of living crisis

The final two years have been very tough for the tourism trade, and now with the conflict in Ukraine and the price of dwelling disaster growing pressures, circumstances are nonetheless removed from ideally suited.

Nevertheless, resorts throughout the Mediterranean area are making ready for what they hope will probably be a bumper season. Amongst them is the Greek island of Santorini, which at its peak can host round 50,000 guests at a time in its 400 plus inns.

Weddings and cruises - Is tourism bouncing again in Santorini?

To Markos Chaidemenos, a lodge proprietor, the 2022 season has already began nicely, even exceeding expectations.

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Within the early days of the conflict in Ukraine, fairly a number of reservations had been cancelled. But now, and it makes me unhappy to confess it, vacationers appear to have forgotten the conflict.

Markos Chaidemenos

Resort proprietor

"Within the early days of the conflict in Ukraine, fairly a number of reservations had been cancelled. But now, and it makes me unhappy to confess it, vacationers appear to have forgotten the conflict. As for our island, we've by no means had many Russian or Ukrainian vacationers."

In addition to being standard amongst Greeks, Santorini has many American, British and French vacationers. Cruise ships are additionally again in power too, and the island is seeking to new markets to spice up its customer numbers.

Native enterprise homeowners are beginning to see an growing variety of guests from China and Japan, typically with marriage in thoughts. That is the case for Zhourun Ge, a Japanese vacationer, who after his first go to, determined Santorini was the proper location for his impending nuptials.

The important thing to the island's financial system

Santorini at sundown, GreeceCanva

Tourism is the island's solely significant trade. However the sector isn't just vital to company hospitality chains and luxurious inns. There are nonetheless many households on Santorini dwelling off the sector.

Christos Markozanis is the proprietor of a tavern, which he runs with the assistance of his two sons, niece and spouse. He says the season has began nicely, however he is nonetheless apprehensive in regards to the results of the hovering price of dwelling.

"A product final week, a wine I purchased for 8 euros, immediately I have to pay 10 and subsequent week I'll pay 12 or 14 euros. How am I purported to reside?

Now there's the excessive price of vitality, I hope that measures will probably be taken by the federal government and by the European Union." He fears that if electrical energy payments stay excessive, many small companies will shut.

Regardless of worldwide and nationwide hardships, Greek tourism is making ready for an additional superb season because the solar, sea and historical historical past proceed to draw overseas guests.

Uncover extra about Santorini's tourism sector within the video above.