SETE, Crete Region Explore Ways to Make Island Top Destination

SETE’s secretary general, George Vernicos; president, Andreas Andreadis; general manager, Giorgos Amvrazis and tourism commissioner for Crete, Michalis Vamiedakis.

Heraklion, Crete. Photo: © Andrei Nekrassov / Shutterstock

Seeking ways to attract more tourism to the island of Crete, local authorities and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) held a day event last week bringing together private and public interests towards the achievement of this goal.

Under the title “Prospects for the Empowerment of Crete as a Tourist Destination: Synergies – Public-Private Partnerships”, the event focused on the design and implementation of collaborative projects between the public and the private sector towards improved tourism services and resultant growth.

Michalis Vamiedakis, tourism commissioner for Crete.

Addressing the event, which was attended by over 200 professionals, local authorities and tourism body representatives, Michalis Vamiedakis, tourism commissioner for Crete, referred to the island as the “steam engine” driving Greece’s tourism growth in terms of arrivals, jobs and contribution to GDP. Key to ensuring the island’s expansion is overcoming the seasonality of tourism, the ongoing onslaught of new taxes, and the all-inclusive model of accommodation, among others.

“The big challenge for us is through the regulation process which is gradually promoting consolidation, education, promotion and provision of quality services, to lead Greek society to the understanding that tourism is the country’s future,” SETE President Andreas Andreadis said during the event.