Sustainability
Santorini, Greece is rapidly becoming the most visited island in Greece with over 2 million visitors arriving annually. Out of all the Greek islands Santorini has the most instagram photos posted about it creating an increase in tourism. The island is reaching its carrying capacity and most of the business owners are not doing anything to stop it because it is one of the few areas that is profitable during Greece’s economic history. Many experts say that nothing short of a natural disaster, such as the volcano Thera exploding will slow tourism.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has put forth a sustainability plan, with “the aim is to ensure that the destinations are developed, managed and promoted successfully, in a sustainable, long term, integrated way, with a clear focus on the needs not only of tourists but of businesses and residents as well” This plan was established in 2019 and has a goal of 2030 to become sustainable. Key points of focus in the plan going forward is for Santorini to become a worldwide leader in sustainability, while developing a luxurious island paradise.
Many of the residents have shot down the proposed outlines for where to build a new waste management facility because it is too close to their business or homes. Most of the non-reusable garbage or recycling is being illegally dumped around the island, with some going into the sea. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is developing a recycling system, cleaning waste areas and banning single-use plastic. Recycling water and redeveloping the historical rainwater cisterns to mitigate some of the water shortages that might occur once single use plastics are banned.
Another way Santorini proposed to increase sustainability is by restricting the amount of people allowed to disembark from cruise ships. A set number of tickets will be sold each day to reduce the amount of people who are able to go see the sunrise. An improved cruise ship port is the last of the proposed upgrades and redesigning some of the roads will make it easier to accommodate the many cruise ships that come into Santorini each season. These changes will create the desired luxurious island paradise.
