In the summer there is a total decrease in tourism trends for the two top Greek tourism islands. Especially for Santorini, the lower numbers compared to last year seem to continue, after the insecurity created by the seismic vibrations at the beginning of 2025.
The sense of falling or stability in tourist traffic to the two islands is confirmed by the numbers:
The Institute of the Hellenic Tourism Business Association (INSE) is referring to a significant decline in the Cyclades and especially in the international air arrivals in Santorini, with the percentage reaching -19%, while in June the Hellenic Tourism Enterprises Association (SETE) estimated that the losses of around 10%. Mykonos, despite having a -8% fall in air arrivals until April compared to 2024, seems to gradually recover, recording for June +2% increased compared to the previous year.
According to data from a Ferryhopper survey, these trends are mainly due to foreign travelers. In particular, Santorini is down -7% of ferry bookings, while Mykonos has a steady image compared to 2024.
Based on the same data, Google searches for the “Piraeus -Santorini” and “Mykonos -Santorini” routes decreased -16% and -25% respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 2024. The searches related to the “Piraeus -Mykonos” journey record a marginal increase of 2024.
In -20% bookings from France -earthquake also affects Americans, Canadians, Australians
Reservations from foreign travelers to Santorini show a clear downward trend. Markets that have traditionally greatly strengthened the island, such as the US, Canada and Australia, seem to have been influenced by the echo of seismic vibrations. Thus, overall international demand records a significant decline compared to last year.
Ferry reservations from US travelers decreased about -5%, Australia -6%and Canada -2%, and higher rates of reductions in other nationalities, such as the French, which declines of -20%.
In the case of Mykonos, the US ferry reservations moved to the same level as last year, while from Australia they declined by about -10% and from Canada around -22%. Despite the decrease in arrivals from several overseas markets, total bookings are at corresponding levels with last year, which is largely due to enhanced domestic demand.
Hoteliers and Airbnb for Santorini – and two other islands as “emerging” destinations
This year’s situation, especially in the case of Santorini, is also reflected by elements of the Pan -Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX) and short -term leasing platforms, such as Airbnb. According to the Federation, since the beginning of the year there has been a gradual slowdown in demand, with a decrease this year to be calculated by periods of up to –20% compared to 2024.
While the international demand, therefore, seems to be receding, fortunately the Greek public seems to again vote for confidence in the two Cyclades islands. By increasing bookings by Greek travelers to Santorini compared to 2024, while Mykonos is an even greater upward trend in the domestic market. This increase is not enough to offset the total flexion from abroad, but is a positive development that leads to a redefinition of the two islands. Based on this year’s data so far, Mykonos and Santorini are no longer an islands exclusively with international appeal, as they have also acquired a domestic dynamic.
In this context, interesting is whether the world that has not traveled this year to these islands are choosing other destinations. Based on Google searches (in searches in the quarter of April-June 2025) there seems to be an increase in the searches of “Piraeus-Hydra” and “Piraeus-Naxos” trips, which are rising to +11% and +10% respectively from ”
Which is attributed to the fallOn the one hand, there seems to be a sense of satiety. Prices and service charges also seem to affect the situation. Certainly, concern about earthquakes at the beginning of the year has played a decisive role in the case of Santorini this year, and the impact of over -tourism has been evident in recent years.
At the same time, the economic uncertainty and the general conditions of the time may push many travelers to postpone their final decisions, choosing to make bookings closer to the departure date.
On the other hand, greater competition has been created. There are now many more islands that offer corresponding experiences, which attract more and more travelers.
The changes that are formed in the movement to Santorini and Mykonos may mark the design of a slightly differentiated tourist map for the next day of tourism in Greece. Despite the downward trends, the impression that these two islands have lost their importance should not be created. It is clear that they are still among the top destinations in the country and are key points of reference to Greek tourism.
Travelers seem to change the way they travel and choose the period and destination of their holidays. A recent survey by the European Travel Committee (ETC) reveals that Europe’s tourist public is now more demanding on its holiday destination: it wants more affordable prices, more security and good weather.
Especially in terms of weather, high summer temperatures have given new impetus to the “shoulder season”, that is, at the end of spring and early autumn. In addition to the lowest prices, travelers seem to prefer these months for the milder weather, so maybe we can expect a better picture of the two Greek islands for autumn.
At the same time, Google surveys show that the quality-price relationship remains a top priority for travelers. 67% of travelers carefully study the details when planning their holidays, with 61% stressing that making these decisions is today more complicated and demanding than the past. In addition, the impact of artificial intelligence is important, with more and more travelers trusting the “crisis” of algorithms on their holiday design.
huffingtonpost.gr