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In today’s local newspaper HMERA, a report of what may happen during this summer season was given. Here is the report:-
The health protocol and the dilemmas of the season
Over 70% drop in turnover
80-90% of the hotels in the council of Alykes will not be opened.
Government announcements on tourism are expected by the end of the week to kick start the Greek economy, but forecasts are not unified; Greece may have handled the pandemic much better than other European countries, but it is now called upon to manage a “new” crisis, as our tourism industry is largely based on foreign visitors, specifically from Europe, the US and China. For our island, things are even more difficult, as the countries of origin of our visitors are currently living their own nightmare with the pandemic.
Bad news from Britain.
Unfortunately, the British this year, based on the statements of the Minister of Health Matt Hancock, will not be taking a vacation! On Tuesday 12/5, the minister was asked on the ITV TV show “This Morning”, if British citizens understand that trips abroad that they usually take during the summer holidays may not be valid for this year, the minister replied: ” I think that’s the situation. ”
What will happen in Zakynthos?
At the moment, there is confusion, unrest and fear throughout our island in regards to the next step and the consequences of the crisis. This summer begins with a lot of difficulties and great uncertainty. Our local news paper published today the views of the four presidents of the Hoteliers’ Associations of the island, regarding the new conditions and the issues that will be called to face soon. The financial losses will be huge, hundreds of our fellow citizens will see their incomes disappear, and the way businesses operate is a mystery. It is a fact, that many hoteliers will not take the risk and will choose to keep their businesses closed, as they do not know how to manage unexpected events, such as the existence of a positive case or the legal consequences that may result from travel insurance in such cases, if someone gets sick after arriving on the island. There is also a lot of concern about the shortening of the season and how full we will be, with hoteliers believing that if they eventually open their businesses, they will not make a profit, they will just be able to pay employees and suppliers so that the local economy does not collapse.
The president of the Hoteliers Association from the council area Arkadia, Nikos Glavas stressed that in fact this year, when the companies will work for half the season, the turnover may drop by as much as 70%, since this August, for example, the occupancy rate will not be 100%. He even expresses his fear of the social consequences of these losses in the winter. He also points out that this year, whatever companies open, they will at least try to cover their fixed expenses, so that next year they will not be committed with unfulfilled obligations of 2020. For his part, the President of the Hotel Owners Association of the council area Alykes, Akis Potamitis states that 80-90% of the hotels in the area will not open this year, as their owners are sure that it is not worth the risk…
At the moment, all tourism entrepreneurs are waiting for the health protocols to be implemented, noting that on the one hand it will take time to prepare and on the other hand that it would be appropriate to have a common European health protocol so that visitors feel safe and know that the same rules will apply in the country they have chosen for their vacation.
The only solution for entrepreneurs and workers to overcome these insurmountable obstacles is government support, in every area… The local government, which for years has been simply monitoring the huge tourist development on the island without support, has an important role they can and must play role to play, now, we must secure the conditions for the next day. A dialogue between authorities and institutions should be made to find feasible solutions for the future. What matters is to maintain and protect jobs, take action to alleviate business, and have a national and local tourism development plan.
George Margaris – President of the Hotel Owners Association Zakynthos
“We don’t know how the hotels will work in terms of health. I think it’s an issue that needs to be clarified as soon as possible so that we can move forward and make our choices for the rest of the season, if we consider that there is some room for tourism to work for the rest of the season. , A move is being made by the wealthier airline companies but low-cost companies at this stage do not know how to move forward. Zakynthos is almost exclusively a tourist destination, which means that the economy is probably 90% dependent on tourism, so everyone will be affected. I think it will be a difficult winter and it will be difficult for employees and businesses. The government must take swift and substantial measures that will stimulate and help the economy and the pockets of consumers. I think hoteliers are trapped. If they open, they will lose some of the funding the government has announced. If they also open, they will have a huge operating cost that they will not be able to meet, at least with today’s data and the prospect of bookings and fullness that we are expected to have. ”
Nikos Glavas – President of the Hotel Owners Association Arcadia
“We are waiting for the health protocols to be announced in order to protect the visitors and the staff. The most important thing is that these protocols are applicable. Also, each industry must take the new protocols very seriously. Whatever we do depends on the start of flights and the conditions that will prevail for boarding and travel. Without airlines, there is no possibility for the island. What market should we turn to? Even if the country’s ports of entry are opened, people will prefer the northern areas that are more easily accessible and not the islands and especially Zakynthos. Throughout this situation, we must be constantly informed and take care that the structures and infrastructure of the island are in perfect condition the next day. We also need to be extremely flexible so that we can deal with what is happening from July 1st onwards. All the communication and mechanisms of the private sector with the local government must be flexible, in order to prevent unpleasant situations “.
Christina Tetradi – President of the Hotel Owners Association Laganas
“All these targeted manipulations made by the government and the excellent image of the management of the pandemic are the biggest legacy for our tourism to recover. At the moment, the evidence so far is that we will have a very limited tourist season, because the main countries of origin of our visitors are far behind in crisis management. In Zakynthos, we are 70% dependent on the British market and we can certainly understand what it means if the British cannot travel in 2020. The Italians will not come either. Who will be our customers? Those who open their businesses this year will simply be able to pay their employees and support the economy by paying their suppliers. The Hotel Association together with SETE elaborated and handed over to the government a series of health measures that are sustainable and adapted to the Greek reality of tourism. These protocols that we handed over to the Ministry of Tourism, EODY and the Ministry of Health also ensure the health of visitors and employees and, above all, will not make hotels reminiscent of hospitals “.
Akis Potamitis – President of the Hotel Owners Association of Alykes
“For the health protocol, the key is to have common rules in Europe. The government is negotiating as a whole, and we will finally see what results we will achieve in the European Commission on the unified policy to be followed both in terms of health care and in the operation of the hotel sector. There must be common rules because the traveller who starts from England and comes here, must feel that what is valid in his homeland is here to feel safe. This whole situation led me to the decision not to open my own business this year, to protect myself, the staff, the neighbourhood and the community as a whole. I had communication with hoteliers in he council area of Alykes and they told me they wouldn’t open either. At a rate of 80 to 90%, the hotels in Alykes will not be operational. It is said that the health protocols will be costly. There is also a huge problem with the not being able to get insurance in the case that someone claims to have contracted the virus in the hotel. Who will be compensating them? The economic consequences will be tragic. If we have an 80% reduction in tourism then 80% of the corresponding turnover in all sectors on the island will be greatly reduced.
If you would like to read the story in full in Greek please click on the link below:- https://www.imerazante.gr
