Pacific Tips 2024 July 29

Santorini, Angel Island, New Biz Class, Japan Resturaunts talk prices!

Author

Dean F
July 29, 2024

Happy Monday, here are some stories we are following for you!

Santorini deals with 11,000 tourists in the city of 15,000 residents!

A few weeks ago, we were on a cruise in Santorini, and it just didn’t see the same, but apparently things got worse last week when over 11,000 cruise ship passengers visited the island with 15,000 inhabitants. (When we landed in late June, there were three other ships with about 3,000 tourists each). The island certainly wasn’t the idyllic place I remember visiting a decade ago.

In 2023 alone, Santorini saw about 800 cruise ships bringing in nearly 1.3 million visitors. This significant influx has been beneficial economically but has raised concerns about sustainability and the quality of life for both locals and visitors. The Greek government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is now considering implementing measures to cap the number of cruise ships allowed to dock each day to manage the flow better and reduce the environmental impact.

It’s a complex issue, balancing economic benefits with sustainability and preserving the island’s charm. The steps Greece is considering could set a precedent for other popular tourist destinations facing similar challenges.

Cruise ships line up in Santorini, Greece on July 1,2024
photo: dean fowles

Angel Island: The US's little-known 'Ellis Island of the West'

This is a great getaway if you’re in the Bay Area. This former quarantine and military station once processed as many as one million immigrants. Now, the picturesque island is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's best urban getaways.

www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240719-angel-island-the-little-known-ellis-island-of-the-west-us

This Major International Airline Is Rolling Out a Sleek New Business-class Cabin

Turkish Airlines revealed its new Crystal Business Class Suite during the Farnborough International Airshow. For the first time, the business class will have an adjustable sliding door which will offer more privacy in the cabin.

www.travelandleisure.com/turkish-airlines-reveals-crystal-business-seat-see-the-new-design-8684409

Japanese restaurants say they’re not charging tourists more – they’re just charging locals less | CNN

In Japan, overtourism and the weak yen have prompted restaurants to consider the merits of differential pricing for tourists. In any cases - there are plenty of options, so if your business isn’t wanted, you can go elsewhere.

edition.cnn.com/travel/japan-restaurants-tourist-prices-intl-hnk/index.html

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