NEWS | Santorini prepares for a different summer

Santorini is a bucket list destination prepared to responsibly welcome tourists this summer.

March 23, 2025

In a show of support for Santorini’s travel industry, Greece’s Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met with local authorities and business representatives on March 17, where she conveyed a message of optimism.

“Santorini is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. A land of unique beauty, rich cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality,” she said in an email to CNN.

Kefalogianni said, despite the quake activity of recent months, the island was gradually returning to normalcy. She said the state had responded with a plan, guaranteeing the safety of residents and visitors.

Scientific committees continued to closely monitor the situation and the required prevention and security measures had already been implemented, the minister said.

“Infrastructure has been reinforced, civil protection plans have been updated and targeted action to support the tourism sector is being implemented,” she added. “The messages from the global tourism market are encouraging, confirming Santorini remains a safe and well-organized destination, ready to welcome visitors from around the world.”

Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos told CNN the quakes caused no damage but noted preventive works were underway to mitigate landslides in certain areas such as those seen on roadsides worldwide. He said he expected 2025 to be “a very good year for visitors as they should be able to move around the island a little easier.”

Students of geology and architecture were especially welcome, he said. “We’re interested in hosting visitors with specific areas of interest… Santorini is, after all, the result of great geophysical forces,” Zorzos said.

In February, AI-generated social media video posts depicting volcanic eruptions in Santorini surfaced on TikTok and X, frustrating people like oceanographer and geologist Evi Nomikou, whose roots lie in the island.

Speaking to CNN, she also reserved criticism for scientists who spoke about the seismic activity and the potential for a powerful quake without data to back up their claims, triggering concern among some locals.

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