SETE: Balance and Sustainability Vital for the Future of Tourism

On occasion of World Tourism Day 2022, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) President Yiannis Retsos stressed the importance of sustainability and low-impact development while outlining Greece’s goals for a viable future.

Top priorities, he said, include a smooth transition to sustainable practices and operations and to a circular economy, meeting European Green Deal targets, ensuring the balanced development of destinations and regions in collaboration with local governments and stakeholders, securing the viability of tourist enterprises and a positive multiplier effect on the economy and society.

These main goals, he said, reflect the sector’s ever-growing orientation towards a more sustainable model of strategic development.

Retsos referred to Greece’s strong post-Covid-19 tourism recovery this year despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the energy crisis and inflationary pressures, adding however that at the same time the growing demand for travel makes this year’s “Rethink Tourism” theme more relevant than ever.

“High demand highlighted issues that concern both Greek and international tourism, such as the need for human resources, while the energy crisis, increasing inflation and interest rates, as well as the risk of an economic slowdown, create new conditions in the effort to sustain recovery,” he said.

Retsos also referred to new challenges such as the severe congestion at international airports and flight delays and cancellations which could also affect developments in global tourism.

Looking ahead to the future of the sector and in tune with “Rethink Tourism”, SETE has released the “Greek Tourism 2030 | Action Plans” study by INSETE and tabled a set of proposals which focus on future tourism development in an ever-changing environment, he concluded.

Commemorated each year on September 27, World Tourism Day is held to pay tribute to the tourism industry, its professionals and employees; foster awareness among the international community of its importance; and encourage people to travel. This year’s World Tourism Day theme is “Rethinking Tourism” and focuses on re-imagining the sector’s growth, both in terms of size and relevance.