Infrastructure Upgrades Crucial for Santorini Tourism Future

Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Christos Stylianidis Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos (center).

Infrastructure needs and solutions that will ensure safety and a better standard of living for residents of Santorini topped the agenda of a visit by Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Christos Stylianidis and Secretary General of Maritime Affairs and Ports Evangelos Kyriazopoulos to the island this week.

Stylianidis met with Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos and local officials to discuss infrastructure needs and protective measures following recent landslide incidents.

“It is our responsibility to support Santorini, Greece’s premium destination, and we must find common solutions based on the convergence of interests with a single goal: to ensure the best for the island and for Greek tourism,” said Stylianidis.

The Minister during his meeting with local stakeholders.

The minister’s meeting was carried out on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ order following an interministerial decision on visitor access measures applicable to certain parts of the island facing the risk of landslides.

The minister also carried out inspection visits at the port of Athinios and of the Ammoudi settlement, was briefed by the local port authority on pending issues, and also visited the property donated by the municipality to the Greek Coastguard for housing needs.

Stylianidis went on to say that “many things need to be done on Santorini to develop infrastructure” so that the island can continue to be a leading global destination.

Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos and Minister Christos Stylianidis with members of the Greek Coastguard.

Earlier this year, hoteliers on the island reiterated their call to the government for the upgrade of infrastructure to meet the high tourist demand and for the creation of a destination management organization (DMO).

The Santorini Hoteliers Association (SHA) cited lacking infrastructure, which not only impacts the lives of local residents but may be the cause, they said, for a decline in tourist bookings compared to previous years.