GNTO To Launch Campaign To Boost Santorini’s Image

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) will soon promote Santorini via a social media campaign to boost the island’s image, which was tainted last week due to a black out that ended up lasting several days.

The decision to give Santorini extra promotion came after Interior Minister Yiannis Michelakis and Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni went to Santorini on Friday, 16 August, three days after a fire at a local power station cut electricity to the entire island.

The first blackout came on Tuesday, 13 August, and was followed by serious shortages that lasted until the weekend of 17-18 August.

According to the Greek Tourism Ministry, during the days of Santorini’s electricity problems, tourist departures were minimal and some individual cancellations were recorded in hotels. The island’s airport operated normally without any cancellations.

Local businesses, however, were badly hit by the shortages, the Greek press said.

Along with the social media campaign to boost Santorini’s image, the GNTO will also upgrade the island’s presence at the World Travel Market 2013 that will take place this November in London, UK.

Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular holiday destinations and the number of visitors to the island this year is expected to exceed the record 1.9 million attained in 2011.