Greetings - and the Daily Reality of Email in Santorini
Click on the map above to learn more about Santorini.
I have so much to tell you about my visit to the Greek island of Santorini.
But how can I adequately express what a truly marvellous experience it is to be in such an idyllic location? To those who have already been, no explanation is necessary; for those who have not, no explanation is possible (although I have included a couple of videos at the bottom of the page to give you some insight of my visit)!
So instead, I will try to explain how email is used in this island paradise.
When you picture Santorini, you probably think of blue domes, sunsets, and winding cliffside streets. On the surface, as a tourist, my first thought is ‘what email – whose got time for email?’
But behind the scenes, there’s another rhythm pulsing through the island: email. In Santorini, email isn’t just a background tool - it’s actually the lifeline of the tourism economy. Hotels, guesthouses, tour operators, and even small tavernas depend on it to connect with travellers before they ever set foot on the island.
Description of photos from top left in clockwise direction - Looking down from the capital city Fira; the cable car heading up to Fira from the port; the alternative is to walk or hithc a donkey ride; looking back at Fira from the water; a view of Fira from the south; wine tasting with a spectacular view at the fabulous cliff top Venesanos Winery, perched high above the Santorini Ferry Terminal; another view from the winery, showing the steep raod up from the terminal; poking my head into a view of the setting sun at Oia (hundreds if not thousands flock here daily to watch this sunset). Middle photo shows an alternate sunset view I enjoyed the next day on a cruise around the caldera of Santorini.
The Daily Reality of Email in Santorini
Let’s take a closer look at how email is used here, and what that means for productivity.
Tourism is seasonal, which means inboxes work overtime in peak summer. A single boutique hotel might juggle dozens of daily emails: “Do you have sea-view rooms?” “What’s your check-in policy?” “Can you arrange a transfer from the ferry?”
Responding quickly isn’t optional - a delayed reply can mean a lost booking.
At the same time, businesses can’t afford to let email swallow their day. Studies show Greek workers in general spend about 37 minutes per day on email - more than double the European average of 18 minutes - and in hospitality that number often feels much higher. Without good systems, email risks turning from lifeline to a time-sink.
Email Style and Tone Matters
In Greek culture, email tends towards formal and polite. Greetings and closings are given care, and hierarchy matters - for instance, students writing to professors. In tourism though, the goal is clarity across various languages. Staff often use templates and simple phrasing to keep communication smooth with international guests.
Productivity Hacks Santorini Businesses Use (or could use)
1. Templates & Canned Responses - Save time on FAQs like “Is breakfast included?” or “Do you offer airport pickup?”
2. Clear Response Protocols - Assigning someone to check and respond within a set timeframe (say, 3 hours) ensures nothing slips.
3. Batch Checking Instead of Constant Checking - Fewer interruptions = more focus on guests in front of you.
4. Segmentation & Marketing Emails - Some hotels (like Privée Santorini) use personalised email marketing to cross-sell experiences, upsell room categories, or encourage repeat visits.
5. Backup Infrastructure - Island life means occasional internet outages and hiccups; smart businesses keep a backup plan (mobile data, shared inbox access, etc.).
Why It Matters
In a place where first impressions often start online, email is part of Santorini’s hospitality DNA.
A fast, clear, and polite reply can turn an inquiry into a booking - and a guest into a repeat visitor. Done well, email isn’t just admin: it’s marketing, customer service, and reputation management rolled into one.
So remember, next time you’re sipping wine overlooking the caldera (as per the view from the magnificent Venetsanos winery in my attached photo) - somewhere nearby, someone just hit “send” on an email that keeps Santorini’s world-famous welcome running smoothly.
Finally, I can see a real opportunity to bring some of the email best practices I have researched and developed over the past 20 years to Santorini and surrounding islands. It could take some time to spread the word from island to island - but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make!
Description of photos from top left in clockwise direction - Pebble beach on south side of the island; enjoying some refreshment (with no email interruptions); one of the many options for cruising around the caldera; the grape vines grow virtually on the ground in Santorini, often in a circular ‘basket’ shape for protection from the wind and sun; a view of Oia from the water; looking east on the only flat ground on Santorini; looking southwards to the highest point on the island; a view from Oia looking south to the cruise ships moored off Fira (the Venetsanos winery is perched on top of the cliff at far right of this photo); teh middle photo shows the new friends I made walking past them every day - their names are Jack, Smart and Dumb.
Excuse my attempt at developing a ‘Greek’ look beard!