Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a series of economic support measures for businesses and employees on Santorini and surrounding islands impacted by continuous seismic activity since late January. The initiative comes as the tourism industry, a key economic driver for the region, faces uncertainty due to the tremors.
Thousands of Earthquakes Recorded
Athens University has recorded over 14,000 tremors between January 26 and February 9 in the sea between the islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Ios, and Anafi. Although the seismic activity has not caused any reported injuries or structural damage, it has raised concerns among residents, businesses, and tourists.
A local businessman in Santorini highlighted the impact on tourism, stating that the island, usually bustling with cruise passengers at this time of year, is now seeing fewer visitors. He questioned whether cruise companies would take the risk of docking near the island amid ongoing seismic uncertainty.
Santorini, one of Greece’s most visited tourist destinations, attracted around 3.4 million visitors in 2023, with over a million arriving via cruise ships.
Government’s Economic Support Measures
In response to the economic impact, Mitsotakis announced “special measures” to assist affected businesses and workers.
- Suspension of Salary Payments: All private-sector businesses in Santorini and Amorgos can suspend salary payments from February 1 to March 3, 2025.
- Compensation for Employees: Workers whose employment contracts are suspended will receive a special compensation of €534 for 30 days, provided their employers commit to maintaining job levels.
- School Closures: Schools in Thira (Santorini), Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos will remain closed until Friday. They were initially shut down two weeks ago as a precautionary measure.
“We will stand by our islanders as long and as much as necessary,” Mitsotakis assured in a social media post.
Mass Exodus and Tourism Uncertainty
The persistent seismic activity has led to an exodus of residents, with most of Santorini’s nearly 16,000 inhabitants leaving the island. Amorgos, which has fewer than 2,000 permanent residents, is considered to be at lower risk due to its rocky terrain and less dense construction.
Santorini sits atop a dormant volcano, which last erupted in 1950. Scientists note that the region has not experienced such intense seismic activity since records began in 1964.
Government Focus on Tourism Stability
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni recently held discussions with island groups and tourism associations to strategize ways to mitigate the crisis.
“Santorini is an iconic Greek tourism destination, and it is our priority to ensure its stability and competitiveness,” she stated.
Sources By Agencies
