Santorini authorities have been on high alert ahead of the tourist season, as the island is at the epicenter of seismic activity, while at the same time none of the experts appear certain about how the phenomenon will develop.

Santorini authorities have been on high alert ahead of the tourist season, as the island is at the epicenter of seismic activity, while at the same time none of the experts appear certain about how the phenomenon will develop. The first "blows" to the island's tourism have begun to appear as the first cruise ship, the "VIKING STAR", which was supposed to "open" this season, changes its route and instead of the Caldera will approach Chania on February 10. According to the Thira Municipal Port Fund, only two cruises are scheduled for February, from the same ship, on February 10 and 15. The next cruises, also from the "Viking Star", are expected from March 11, while a total of ten cruise ships are expected in March. However, as industry figures report, if everything goes smoothly, what companies and the port fund will be called upon to manage is where cruise ships will approach, if the landslide protection measures announced on Thursday are in effect later and provide, among other things, for the closure of the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfou and the Old Port of Fira. It is noted that Santorini is the flagship of Greek tourism, welcoming approximately 3.5 million tourists. At the same time, hoteliers in Santorini note that no cancellations are being recorded. “There are cancellations of reservations for the coming period, basically until April. What is certain is that we are seeing a pause in new reservations,” Christos Papadopoulos, a member of the Association of Tourist Agents of Northern Greece, told ERT. According to data from ELSTAT and the Bank of Greece, for the year 2023, our country's tourism revenues amounted to 20.5 billion euros, with 820 million coming from Santorini. According to the same data, 1216 accommodation businesses and 712 catering businesses operate in Santorini. ieidiseis.gr ----- https://www.zarpanews.gr/prota-kampanakia-gia-ton-toyrismo-sti-santorini-xekinisan-oi-akyroseis-paysi-stis-kratiseis/