Seismic unrest causes notable drop in tourist bookings for Greece’s Santorini

Intense seismic activity around the Greek island of Santorini has caused a sharp decline in tourist bookings, according to media reports on Thursday.

Citing data from domestic and international tourism organizations, the Greek media outlet Kathimerini reported that holiday reservations for the island in early March are down by 23% compared to the same period in 2024.

Airline bookings have also been affected, with seat reservations 9% lower than last year. The decline has been linked to the recent earthquakes in the region, with concerns about further seismic activity potentially exacerbating the drop in tourism.

Despite these challenges, Santorini remained a popular destination in 2024, welcoming over 1.5 million international passengers, marking a 1.8% increase from 2023. However, the current natural phenomena could have a significant impact on the island’s tourism industry this year.

4.4 magnitude earthquake

Meanwhile, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded on Monday between the southern Aegean islands of Amorgos and Santorini, which is a major tourist attraction.

The quake, with a depth of 17.3 kilometers (10.75 miles), struck at around 7:21 a.m. local time (0521GMT), according to the National Observatory of Athens Geodynamics Institute. Over 20,000 tremors have been recorded in the area since late January, with several exceeding 4 or 5 on the Richter scale.

Santorini is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Greece.

Experts remain divided on whether the ongoing seismic activity will lead to a stronger quake. Greek state authorities have emphasized they are closely monitoring the situation, as fears grow that the tremors could further impact bookings and tourism revenue, a crucial part of Greece’s economy.