Greek Opposition Meets With Tourism Bodies to Discuss National Strategy

Photo source: SYRIZA

Greek opposition party Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis met with tourism stakeholders to discuss the priorities of a national strategy for the development of the sector.

Top priorities, said Kasselakis, include formulating a comprehensive national plan that will incorporate culture and focus on balanced 12-month, decentralized tourism development.

The party leader said Syriza would be “open to a technocratic approach” and underlined the need for a long-term national plan that will incorporate culture into the tourism experience thus enabling year-round tourism activity.

Among others, addressing the working meeting, Kasselakis also referred to those employed in tourism, who need a sense of stability, which can be achieved, he said, by upgrading transportation, public health, and public education beyond Athens in all parts of the country.

SYRIZA President Stefanos Kasselakis, Photo source: SYRIZA

Kasselakis also said it was vital that the sector’s contribution to the economy increase from the current 20 percent attracting at the same time more investments in this direction.

“We have a treasure, we have to make use of it and if we do, there will be a convergence with Europe in the long term,” he said.

Also commenting during the meeting, Euro MP and former tourism minister Elena Kountoura said Syriza was the first to acknowledge the importance of tourism with a strategy that attracted investments and led to record arrivals and revenues.

Attending the meeting were representatives from the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies (FEDHATTA), the Greek Professional Yacht Owners Bareboat Association (SITESAP), the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), the Greek Shipowners Association For Passenger Ships (SEEN), the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers & Destinations Events Specialists (HAPCO & DES), the Panhellenic Tourist Guide Federation (POXEN), the Greek Association of Car Rental Tourism Companies (STEEAE), the General Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET), and the Hellenic Association of Tourism Enterprises in Outdoor Activities.