Santorini: Pagonis leads in hotel union elections

The Santorini Hotel Union held its elections on Sunday 13 September 2026, with the aim of electing a new Board of Directors, Audit Committee and representatives to the Panhellenic Hotel Federation. The voting took place at the ‘Majestic’ hotel, from 11:00 to 19:00, in the presence of a judicial representative. According to data published by naxostimes.gr on Monday 14 September 2026, out of 194 registered members in good standing all 194 voted, 194 ballots were found, of which 188 were valid and 6 invalid, with no blank ballots. First in preference votes for the Board of Directors was elected the outgoing president Antonis Pagonis with 166 votes, followed by Margarita Karamolengou with 129, Giorgos Dimitrokalis with 123, Andreas Patiniiotis with 117 and Reno Chitas with 114.

Elections of organizations such as the Santorini Hotel Union are held at regular intervals, with judicial supervision that ensures the transparency of the process. In the same ballot, apart from the Board of Directors, a three-member Audit Committee was also elected, with Emmanuel Darzenta first with 126 votes, Ioannis Mindrinos second with 112 and Vasilis Soromtzis third with 92. At the same time, the members of the Union elected representatives to the Panhellenic Hotel Federation, where Antonis Pagonis was voted first again with 161 votes, with the list completed by Giorgos Dimitrokalis, Margarita Karamolengou, Markos Chaidemenos, Renos Chitas, Antonios Iliopoulos, Andreas Patiniiotis, Alexandros Biringos, Ioannis Andronis, Georgios Fytros, Vasilis Soromtzis and Ioannis Tokis. The electoral process, as recorded in the minutes, proceeded smoothly, without objections or observations, an element that highlights the consensual image of the sector in Santorini.

The hotel sector is a fundamental pillar of the local economy in Santorini, as the island remains one of the most recognizable Greek tourist destinations internationally. The composition of the new Board of Directors, with Antonis Pagonis concentrating the greatest support from members, shows continuity in the representation of hospitality entrepreneurs on the island, both at the local and nationwide level through the Federation. The high participation, with all 194 members in good standing exercising their voting rights, reflects the interest of hoteliers in managing issues affecting the sector, from pricing policy to infrastructure and management of the tourist season.

The distribution of positions within the new Board of Directors, that is, who will assume the presidency and the other positions, has not yet been decided and will be determined when the body is formally constituted, according to naxostimes.gr. Until then, the term and action programme of the new administration remain unknown, as well as the exact date of the constitution of the body. The Union has not announced any additional details so far regarding the priorities of the new board in view of the next tourist season.