Greece‘s tourism is facing a threat, as significant cancellations in reservations are occurring in touristic destinations where there are refugee and migrant flows.
Association of Hellenic Tourism Enterprises (SETE) head Andreas Andreadis included the migration problem as one of the unknown factors that will affect this tourism season during a speech at the association’s recent general meeting.
He noted that the solidarity that the majority of the islanders are showing with the refugees may be unique and certainly helps the image of the country abroad, but this on its own is not enough. The state, he added, should find real and applicable solutions immediately.
Periclis Antoniou, the representative of the Hotel Owners Union in Lesbos, told Kathimerini that “the decrease in the reservations in several markets can reach up to 90%.”
Chios is also faced with a similar situation, as this year appears to be one of the worst in the last 40 years. Data so far shows a 60% decrease in reservations.
In Kos, reservations have dropped 36%, whereas in Samos reservations have dropped 40%.
Hoteliers have resorted to slashing prices and advertising special offers in a bid to bolster demand. However, they stress the danger that unless the situation changes a chain reaction will affect the revenues of local enterprises and then the national economy and employment.
Andreadis said that the government will have to safeguard local communities as well as tourist destinations so as not to compromise the quality of service to tourists. Already, he said, destinations in the eastern Aegean are suffering pressure, seeing only last-minute bookings, while he added that the efforts of the tourism authorities are focusing on strengthening those areas.
