It’s one of the most pictured island’s in Greece thanks to its breathtaking beauty and incredible sunsets but businesses there are struggling, says one local tour operator. Greece is well known for its thousands of picturesque islands. There are 6,000 islands and islets in total, with 227 being inhabited.
Their beautiful beaches , coves and caves, significant archaeological sites and stunning landscapes attract millions of visitors each year. One of the most popular destinations and certainly one of the most photographed has been a favourite with holidaymakers since the 70s. Families, friends and couples regularly flock to this dazzling island with its charming white washed houses and outstanding hilltop views of the azure waters that surround it and this year has been no different.
However, one local on the volcanic island of Santorini has claimed that despite the huge numbers of visitors, there is a major problem that has led to businesses struggling with under capacity. Gianluca Chimenti is a local tour operator and has been a resident for 18 years and he claims that although the streets are rammed to the rafters during the day, by nighttime, the place is a ghost town. Greece, like many holiday resorts, has seen a tourism boom and is battling to balance the economical need for visitors with the quality of life for its residents.
By day as many as 17,000 cruise ship passengers pile onto the island in peak season and to the capital Fira and the town of Oia on the northwe.