Zakynthos Hoteliers Eager to Plan for 2021

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

The viability of tourist enterprises and the operation of the famed Navagio Beach on Zakynthos as well as ways to deal with Covid-19 cases topped the agenda of talks this week between island hotelier associations and Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou.

Among others, the two sides discussed the effective management of the island’s most important attraction, Navagio Beach (also known as “Shipwreck Beach“) which they said still needs an operations framework the lack of which tarnishes the island’s reputation.

They also discussed the importance of drawing up a strategy for 2021, during which they expect to see a boom in arrivals based on current booking data as well as infrastructure upgrade projects.

Zakynthos island, Photo © – ΟΙ ΟΜΟΡΦΙΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ ΜΑΣ

In the meantime, in relevant news, Giorgos Tsourounakis, who heads a quarantine hotel in the Zakynthos village of Keri, told local newspaper Ermis Radio 91.8 that island hoteliers were considering offering free hospitality to travelers and families who tested positive to Covid-19 after visiting the island and who had to cancel their holidays.

Tsourounakis was speaking in response to the news reported in the Guardian on Wednesday that at least 11 out of 30 teenagers from the UK who vacationed on Zakynthos this summer tested positive for Covid-19 upon return to England.

Tsourounakis told Ermis that the island’s hoteliers has been examining the initiative since July, when a tourist from Poland tested positive for the virus and was transferred to hospital.

Hoteliers then said they offered to put her up again when the circumstances allow serving as an added incentive to bring travelers back to the island when Covid-19 subsides, Tsourounakis said, adding that the woman had accepted and spoke to local press about the offer.

According to Ermis, Zakynthos hotelier associations have already tabled the idea with the Ionian Island regional authority, which Tsourounakis said could cover the cost of tickets.