Santorini Unmasked: The Truth Behind the Picture-Perfect Façade of Greece’s Idyllic Island
Santorini has been hailed as a dream destination for travelers from around the world — its white-washed buildings, mesmerizing blue-domed churches, and breathtaking sunsets have captured the hearts and attention of countless travelers.
The picturesque landscapes, cliffside restaurants, and tantalizing white wines paint a picture of paradise on Earth.
But behind the enchanting sights and mouth-watering meals lies a darker reality that often goes unnoticed because of the island’s charm.
Every year, more is demanded of the local population and exploited animals of the island. Over-tourism and government inaction are causing the residents to worry about the future of their island.
In this article, we will explore the troubling issues that are plaguing Santorini, with the hopes of encouraging a more responsible, and sustainable approach to tourism — after all, it’s our responsibility to protect the incredible nature of the island for future generations.
How Over-Tourism Threatens Santorini’s Future
Every year, Santorini captures the hearts of millions of tourists who flock to its many beautiful vistas.
However, as the island’s popularity has skyrocketed, it has given rise to over-tourism — a phenomenon that brings issues for the population, infrastructure, and economic opportunities of Santorini.
Let’s look at some of these.
Locals Being Priced Out
The surge in tourism has led to a dramatic increase in property prices, driven by the demand for accommodation and hospitality-related businesses. In 2019, Greek Reporter found that the influx in tourism has led to an increase of ~18% in housing prices.
This has forced some residents to relocate to less popular areas, or even leave the island altogether. This is sadly still the case in 2023, as confirmed by separate local guides I talked to in early April — including one who is expecting to move off the island due to a lack of affordable options.
Moreover, the influx of tourists has also driven up the cost of living, as businesses cater to visitors willing to pay premium prices for goods and services.
The interesting thing is that the locals don’t seem to hold a grudge against the tourists (at least not one that they showed to me, a tourist). In fact, the local populations seem more upset with the local government for not putting the actual residents first.
A Struggling Infrastructure
Santorini’s infrastructure has also been put under significant strain by the large amount of tourists.
The island’s narrow streets, which were not designed for such high volumes of foot and vehicle traffic, have become congested. So much so that during the height of tourist seasons, things like construction projects are put on hold.
On top of this, waste management systems struggle to keep up with the increased demand, leaving weeks’ worth of trash just on the outskirts of otherwise beautiful towns and businesses.
Lack of Opportunity During the Off-Season
The seasonal nature of tourism in Santorini creates a boom-and-bust cycle, with businesses and workers thriving during the busy summer months but facing significant challenges during the off-season.
As the economy becomes increasingly reliant on tourism, alternative sources of income and employment opportunities for locals diminish. One of my guides said that about 2/3 of the population of the island moves off the island during the off-season.
Furthermore, the focus on short-term gains from the tourism industry has led to a lack of investment in other sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing, which could potentially provide year-round opportunities for the local population.
This dependence on tourism leaves the island vulnerable to external shocks, such as the economic downturn and reduction in tourism that was seen during the height of the pandemic.
All of this is to say that while the tourism industry has undoubtedly brought prosperity to Santorini, the negative impacts of over-tourism cannot be ignored.
To keep tourism on the island sustainable, a balanced approach is needed — the needs of the locals have to be better addressed to preserve the unique environment that makes Santorini a sought-after destination.
Uncovering the Concerns Over Santorini’s Donkey Transport
Donkeys have long been an integral part of Santorini’s transportation system, especially in navigating the steep and winding paths that lead to the island’s famous caldera.
While this traditional mode of transport has become an iconic symbol of the island’s charm, it has also led to concerns about the well-being of the donkeys.
Donkey Abuse Allegations
Several reports and eyewitness accounts have surfaced, alleging that donkeys in Santorini are subjected to poor treatment, including being beaten, over-worked, and suffering from saddle-sores.
In response to the growing concerns and mounting pressure from both local and international activists, the Greek government introduced new regulations in 2018, limiting the weight that a donkey can carry to no more than 100 kg.
Though this is a small step in the right direction, it doesn’t address most of the concerns surrounding these donkeys — based on what the local guides told me, nothing has really changed in the past 5 years, and the local government doesn’t plan on doing anything about it.
These allegations have fueled a passionate debate on the island, as activists and concerned tourists argue that the use of donkeys as a mode of transportation has become an exploitative practice, compromising the welfare of the animals for the sake of profit and convenience.
Protests and Clashes: The Tension Between Activists and Muleteers
The controversy surrounding the treatment of donkeys in Santorini has prompted a series of protests, with animal rights activists calling for improved conditions and stricter regulations on the use of these animals.
These protests have not been without conflict, as some demonstrators have been met with violence from muleteers — with a video surfacing of the muleteers outnumbering the protestors, throwing their items over the cliffside, and beating them up.
Two separate guides told me that nothing was ever done about the assaults on the protestors — they claim that the local government and authorities engage in this corruption by sweeping anything like this under the rug to help with the tourist industry.
After looking into it more, I couldn’t find any reports or arrest records about what happened to the muleteers.
What’s Next for Santorini?
Moving forward, collaboration among local authorities, the tourism industry, and the broader community is essential in fostering a more sustainable approach.
This includes implementing and enforcing regulations to protect the welfare of donkeys, while also investing in infrastructure and alternative industries. This would help create year-round opportunities for locals and reduce the island’s dependence on tourism.
This is easier said than done — especially with the contempt that has been shown in meaningfully changing these conditions.
Call me cynical, but the actions of Santorini’s local government seem to be a purposeful and malicious prioritization of profits over the needs of the locals who are integral in keeping the island so popular.
As tourists, we too have a role to play in supporting Santorini’s journey towards sustainability.
By being mindful of our environmental footprint, respecting local customs, and patronizing businesses that prioritize ethical practices, we can contribute to a brighter future for both the island and its inhabitants.
Note About the Paper
This paper was written with a mix of my personally written accounts of my time in Santorini and AI text generation from detailed prompts that I wrote. This is the first paper in a series of AI written blog posts that I’ll be experimenting with.
