Santorini Bus Drivers Strike Disrupts Cruise Tourism

Bus drivers on the Greek island of Santorini launched a strike to protest the strain that mass tourism places on local infrastructure. The walkout halted public transport, created traffic jams and prompted several cruise ships—such as the Sinfonia (2,100 passengers) and the Norwegian Pearl (2,500 passengers)—to cancel planned shore excursions.

Santorini, home to about 15,500 residents, receives roughly 3.4 million visitors each year, overwhelming roads, parking, water supplies and waste management. In response, Greek authorities have capped daily cruise‑ship arrivals at 8,000 guests and introduced a €20 landing fee per passenger. The strike underscores growing tensions between tourism operators and the island’s capacity limits.