HATTA: Athens Is An Unsafe Destination

HATTA’s President Argyro Phili said that the association is receiving continuous complaints from members as their customers (tourists) have expressed their anger in regards to the unacceptable situation in the center of Athens.

No advertising campaign, no matter how ambitious it is, can deliver if the visitor does not feel safe and does not like what he sees when he walks around, according to the President of the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA), Argyro Phili.

During the summer, Mrs. Phili addressed a letter to key figures of the Greek tourism industry (Tourism Ministry, Interior Ministry, City of Athens and GNTO) and stressed that the situation in central Athens is unacceptable as it threatens both security for tourists and the complete image of the city.

“We are receiving continuous complaints from our members as their customers (tourists) have expressed their anger in regards to the unacceptable situation in the center of Athens.”

HATTA’s president singled out specific areas that give the city center a bad reputation (specifically, Zinonos and Menandrou streets and Karaiskaki, Kotzia and Victoria squares).

“These areas are booming with illegal merchants, economic migrants, drug dealers…other than a repulsive image that this incites, the feeling of insecurity of people who pass through the area must be focused upon,” she said.

Mrs. Phili also mentioned that the many cases of muggings and street theft have also enhanced the feeling of insecurity in Athens.

HATTA called for constant policing (on a 24 hour basis) of the central neighborhoods, archaeological sites, museums and the central hotels so the tourists in tha area would feel safe.

“Lack of cleanliness is also a serious problem…there is garbage and stench around the monuments and cultural sights of the city,” Mrs. Phili added.

HATTA’s president said that such images are hurting the country’s reputation abroad at a time when Greece is trying to promote itself as a quality destination.