Central Greece Hoteliers Reiterate Demands to Deal with Flood Aftermath

Pinios River overflow in Larissa, Region of Thessaly. Photo source: Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) / Credit: Athens News Agency

Hoteliers in Magnesia, Region of Thessaly, Central Greece, who were most affected by the floods of Storm Daniel earlier this month, reiterated their calls for help, urging the government to take immediate measures that will support ailing enterprises.

In emergency teleconferences with the Tourism Ministry, the Hotel Owners’ Association of Magnesia, Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) President Alexandros Vassilikos, Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX) President Grigoris Tasios, and local hoteliers associations repeated their demands which include:

– the suspension of employment contracts;
– ensuring business liquidity;
– suspending tax and social security obligations;
– maintaining jobs at affected hotels;
– ensuring that flights to the region continue into the following year;
– reduced VAT on heating oil and gas;
– the suspension of loan payments to banks;
– the deferral of confiscation and auctions; and
– the restoration of the region’s reputation.

Archive photo of Volos as seen from Pelion. Photo source: Wikipedia.

Magnesia’s hoteliers claim there has been no response to their previous demands by any of the concerned ministries.

“We cannot afford to wait any longer, particularly in view of an imminent domino effect of the damage. It is crucial that all unions, associations and stakeholders coordinate and start solving the problems together immediately,” the hoteliers said the Hotel Owners’ Association of Magnesia.