Santorini Tourism Row: Tour Operator Denies Overcrowding Claims

A bitter dispute has erupted on the popular Greek island of Santorini, with local authorities seeking to curb tourism and a tour operator vehemently denying claims of overcrowding. Mayor Nikos Zorzos has proposed limiting daily cruise ship arrivals to 8,000 passengers, a measure supported by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to alleviate congestion and protect the island’s environment.

However, long-term resident and tour operator Gianluca Chimenti has dismissed the notion of overtourism, arguing that the island is currently experiencing its worst season ever. He claims hotel occupancy rates are below 30 percent and that social media images misrepresent the situation.

The Cruise Lines International Association has countered the criticism, suggesting that spreading out cruise ship arrivals across different parts of the island could address overcrowding concerns.

Santorini has become a major tourist destination, with peak-season cruise ship arrivals reaching 17,000 passengers per day. The debate over how to balance economic benefits with environmental protection and local quality of life is intensifying.