With the best of omens, the Astypalea the new tourist season. It is worth noting that the island of Petalouda became a major attraction for visitors thanks to the Red Bull Art of Motion, the most important event free running worldwide, with the biggest names in the industry «flooding» the beautiful island.
At the same time, the pioneering «Smart & Sustainable Island» project is progressing rapidly, with the goal of creating the first sustainable and energy-autonomous island. During Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s recent visit, new government vehicles were delivered, including a new electric ambulance. The island now has an “On Demand” public transportation system and a car-sharing service in operation.
These two new services, which are pioneering for Greece, operate via a mobile app. Car Sharing involves a fleet of electric cars shared by the island’s residents and visitors, while the On Demand public transportation service consists of electric vans that pick up passengers at stops whenever they wish, transporting them without delays or waiting times.
The network of public electric vehicle charging stations is constantly expanding, as private individuals have also begun purchasing electric vehicles. In addition, the Municipality of Astypalea is moving forward to resolve a long-standing problem by registering, collecting, and recycling abandoned vehicles that were sources of pollution. It is important to note that a new photovoltaic power generation facility has been installed on the island, which will operate under the virtual energy offset scheme.
«Amid an energy crisis, the eyes of the world are on us. History is being made in Astypalea, as the prospect of sustainability may offer a way forward for every destination in the future. We see that both residents and travelers are encouraging this change,» emphasizes Nikos Kominas, Mayor of Astypalea. Moreover, with authenticity and sustainability as its hallmarks, the municipality has laid the groundwork for targeted initiatives and notable recognition in international media outlets such as The Times of London and The Guardian, which included the «Aegean Butterfly» among the alternative destinations set to take center stage this summer.
