Santorini: Evolution from a remote island to a global destination

A rare 55-year-old black-and-white travel guide from 1971 provides a historical window into Santorini before its transformation into a global tourism powerhouse. Published by Petros Delendas, the ‘Santorini Guide’ captures the island during its early stages of tourism development.

At the time of publication, the island possessed very limited infrastructure. The guide notes that Santorini had approximately 75 beds available for visitors and lacked a formal port due to the depth of the waters and coastal shifts. The island's economy was primarily driven by agriculture and viticulture, with tourism still in its infancy.

The document highlights the stark differences in daily life compared to the modern era, including challenges with water access and maritime entry. It serves as a record of the island's evolution from a largely unknown destination to a world-renowned hotspot famous for its caldera, architecture, and local products.