Santorini’s Beauty Turned Beast: When Tourism Takes a Toll

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So, Santorini, that dreamy island with its white-washed buildings and stunning sunsets, is starting to hate tourists. Yep, you heard that right. The very folks who flock to its picturesque cliffs are now being eyed with disdain.

Reported by Reuters on Sunday (July 28), those iconic steep cliffs with white buildings in Santorini, Greece, are still stunning. But now, tourists are fighting for the best selfie spots under the blazing sun, making it feel more like a battlefield than a paradise.

The island that was once a postcard-perfect destination has now turned into what locals call a monster. The beautiful beaches? Ruined by mass tourism.

Authorities on the island, along with other popular tourist spots, are now calling for a cap on the number of visitors. I mean, who knew paradise had a visitor limit?

Last year, a whopping 3.4 million tourists visited Santorini, according to Mayor Nikos Zorzos. And guess what? This influx has put a massive strain on the island’s outdated infrastructure, making it nearly impossible for locals to afford housing.

Mayor Zorzos has been pleading with officials for years not to allow even one more bed on the island. He’s also proposed cutting down the daily cruise ship visitors from 17,000 to 8,000.

He believes that limiting the number of visitors is in the best interest of the island and its residents. He pointed out that the locals’ quality of life has taken a nosedive.

Even business owners, who benefit from tourism, are starting to worry. Take Georgios Damigos, for instance. He runs a 14-room hotel that his parents opened back in the 1980s. And even he’s concerned.

The tourism boom in Santorini echoes across Greece. Data shows that national tourism revenue jumped 16% in the first five months of this year, and 2024 is expected to surpass last year’s record of 33 million arrivals. That’s a lot of people snapping pics and sipping ouzo.

And the tourists? They seem unfazed, happily strolling past signs asking them to respect local homes. Talk about selective reading!

Navigating the narrow streets might be tough, but it’s still pretty. Tourists are even telling everyone they know to come visit.

So, what do you think? Will Santorini find a balance between welcoming tourists and preserving its charm? Or will it become another cautionary tale of paradise lost to popularity? Let’s hope it’s the former because no one wants to see a beauty turn into a beast.

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