News

Santorini Tourism Revenue Drops 20% in 2025, Economy Hit Hard

Santorini, one of Greece’s most iconic travel destinations, is facing a sharp economic shock in 2025 as tourism revenue plunges by more than twenty percent, leaving the island’s economy and local businesses struggling to cope. Once heavily reliant on steady streams of international visitors, the drop reflects shifting travel patterns, rising global costs, and growing competition from other Mediterranean hotspots, all of which have shaken Santorini’s financial foundation and deeply disrupted the livelihoods of its residents. Santorini, long celebrated as one of Greece’s most iconic travel destinations, is experiencing a striking downturn in tourism revenue in 2025. Recent data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority reveal that both the island’s hotel and restaurant sectors have faced sharp declines this year, underscoring the fragility of even the most popular tourist hubs. Hotels on Santorini recorded a 22.1% drop in turnover during the second quarter compared to the same period in 2024, while restaurant revenues fell by 21%. These declines are particularly alarming given the island’s reputation as a top choice for international travelers seeking sun-soaked landscapes, picturesque villages, and luxury hospitality.

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Discover Bali’s Cultural Heart in Semarapura, Klungkung Regency

Tucked inside Klungkung Regency, Semarapura City invites visitors to step right into the beating heart of Bali’s cultural past. While people usually picture Bali’s greenery, cliffs, and peaceful paddies, there are also towns that whisper stories from centuries ago. Semarapura is one of them, also called Kota Semarapura or simply Klungkung, and it’s the go-to place for those curious about the island’s royal stories, traditions, and long, colorful timeline. Once the capital of the Klungkung Kingdom, founded in 1686, Semarapura was the last Balinese royal capital to fall under Dutch rule. The kingdom’s rise and the city’s development mark some of the key chapters in Bali’s history and in Indonesia’s wider narrative. The most striking episode was the 1908 Puputan Klungkung, when the royal family and townspeople chose a ceremonial death rather than surrender to foreign troops. This solemn yet proud moment is remembered every April 28, when a special ceremony fills the city streets with a mix of reverence and celebrates a spirit that absolutely refuses to fade.

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Thailand Launches ‘Trusted Thailand’ Stamp for Safer Global Travel

In a strategic move of Thailand to enhance the image and attract global travelers, the Thai government has introduced the Trusted Thailand stamp, a symbol of safety and reliability. This initiative is designed to build international confidence in Thailand as a top travel destination, reinforcing its commitment to upholding the highest safety standards for visitors. The stamp will serve as an assurance to tourists, offering peace of mind when selecting Thailand as their next destination. A New Era for Tourism Industry of Thailand As the global tourism industry recovers, safety has become a critical factor for travelers, particularly families, solo travelers, and international visitors from key markets such as China, South Korea, Japan, and Europe. The introduction of the Trusted Thailand stamp reflects the government’s acknowledgment of this shift in priorities. It highlights the need for rigorous safety measures across the tourism sector, while also ensuring that travelers feel secure, welcomed, and valued throughout their journey.

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Türkiye Cruise Tourism Hits 12-Year High with 326K+ Passengers

Türkiye’s cruise tourism has reached a historic milestone in July 2025, with over 326,000 passengers visiting key ports. This remarkable growth is driven by an increase in cruise calls at major ports like Istanbul, Marmaris, Bodrum, İzmir, and Kuşadası, combined with Türkiye’s strategic investments in port infrastructure and the growing global demand for Mediterranean cruise destinations. This surge marks the best performance in over twelve years, reflecting Türkiye’s rising appeal as a top cruise destination. Türkiye has achieved a record-breaking milestone in its cruise tourism sector, with July 2025 marking the highest number of passengers in over a decade. The country welcomed 326,450 cruise passengers across its 18 ports, reflecting a 3.3% year-on-year increase compared to July 2024. In the first seven months of 2025, the total number of cruise passengers reached 1.06 million, representing a 19% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge marks the strongest performance for Türkiye in the first half of the year since 2013. Looking ahead, Türkiye is targeting a significant boost in its cruise tourism sector. After reaching nearly 1.9 million passengers in 2024, the country aims to attract around 2.5 million cruise passengers by the end of 2025, signaling an ambitious drive to expand its market share. Industry experts believe that, based on the current growth trends, Türkiye is on track to achieve its 2025 goal if the momentum is maintained

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Mallorca Pact Falls Short as Balearic Islands Seek Tourism Growth

In May of last year, the Balearic Government introduced an ambitious sustainability pact, which at the time appeared to be a timely response to increasing traffic congestion and growing discontent within local communities, particularly in Mallorca. The pact, initially designed to address both the region’s tourism and economic models, aimed to provide a long-term solution to these pressing issues. The government’s motivation was to establish a new framework for the future, with the pact envisioned as a cornerstone for reshaping the island’s future economic landscape. The plan was broad in scope, involving a range of stakeholders, including political parties, business associations, unions, environmentalists, farmers, and even academic institutions. Around 150 entities were invited to engage in debates and provide feedback on proposed changes. This included an online platform to allow the general public to contribute, ensuring that all voices had an opportunity to be heard. The hope was that through this wide-ranging consultation, the pact would be able to find common ground and create a roadmap for sustainable growth, addressing key issues such as tourism, transportation, and environmental preservation.

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Greece & Japan Boost Tourism with New Flights & Cultural Exchange

A direct air link betwee Greece and Japan was in the spotlight on Friday during talks held in Athens between a visiting delegation of Japanese parliamentarians and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. The discussion centered on new possibilities for further reinforcing bilateral tourism cooperation, more specifically through the opening of a nonstop air route that could substantially boost tourist flows and trade relations between the two countries. Enhancing Connectivity to Boost Tourism Minister Kefalogianni highlighted that a direct flight connection would provide a significant boost to the growing interest among Japanese travelers in Greek culture and tourism experiences. With Greece consistently ranking among the world’s top tourism destinations, attracting an impressive 40 million visitors annually, the minister emphasized that this new connectivity would capitalize on this popularity, drawing more Japanese tourists to Greece.

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