Residents of Santorini have been asked to limit their movements due to over tourism in an unprecedented announcement made by a councilor of the island.
Councilor Panos Kavalaris made an announcement on Facebook which stated that 17,000 visitors were expected to arrive by cruise ship in Santorini which would propose a “difficult day”.
Overcrowding was expected and the island already has high occupancy records in accommodation, so this tourist arrival did not bode well for people on the island.
It was requested that residents should stay in a form of lockdown to help the situation.
The post on Facebook reads: “Emergency Announcement. Another difficult day for our city and our island with the arrival of 17,000 visitors from cruise ships! We ask for your attention and as much as we can we reduce our movements!”
The post was deleted and it has been said it was made “with the best of intentions”.
The Mayor of Santorini had announced that a cap would be placed on the number of visitors who can visit the island from cruise ships in order that it can cope with the large numbers of tourists, however it would appear this has not been respected.
Despite much anger towards overtourism across Europe recently, no recorded organized protest has ever been held in Santorini.
In Spain, the movement against overtourism has come to light again within the last few weeks with protests being held opposing tourism.
Residents of Santorini, which has a population of 15,480, according to the 2021 census, were forced to welcome 17,000 from cruise ships alone, to their small island.