Meeting focuses on efforts to avoid ‘overtourism’ on Santorini

The specter of “overtourism” over the iconic Cyclades Island of Santorini wasn’t cited directly but was latent theme during a meeting on Tuesday between the relevant tourism minister, office-holders and sector representatives from the island.

Initiatives, in the medium-term, for the island include a completion of a zoning plan, a so-called “digital transition”, completion of pending infrastructure works, comprehensive waste management, regulating cruise ship arrivals, as well as a more strategic management of sustainable resources.

Participants at the meeting also touched on the protection of cultural legacy on Santorini, also known as Thira.

“It’s significant and necessary for a measured assessment of the island’s level of tolerance vis-à-vis the pressure it is experiencing, so we can achieve a viable tourism development model,” Minister Vassilis Kikilias said.