Hoteliers: Greece Suffers from Lack of Infrastructure not Overtourism

Crete

Greece suffers from lack of infrastructure not overtourism, said Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) President Yiannis Hatzis during the federation’s  2^nd Regional Conference held in Heraklion, Crete, on Tuesday.

Addressing the event, Hatzis cited the example of Majorca to demonstrate his argument. Although Majorca is 2.3 times smaller than Crete and has double the population, the number of arrivals it handles exceed those of both Crete and the South Aegean Region, he said.

Hatzis added that negotiating the idea of limiting demand instead of improving supply is counterproductive. Instead, he said, formulating a strategic plan for the next 10 years is the “only solution”.

He went on to underline that above and beyond alternative tourism experiences, extended services and distribution of tourism spend, the classic sea and sun model continues to be Greece’s highest selling product.

Hellenic Hoteliers Federation President Yiannis Hatzis speaking during the federation’s 2nd Regional Conference.

Citing key infrastructure projects on the island, including the under-construction airport at Kastelli and the BOAK north road axis, Hatzis said Crete could be spearheading the vision for a new era in tourism.

“Investing in quality hotel facilities; enhancing tourism by interlinking our cultural and culinary identity with respect for the environment and society; making huge leaps based on our classic product; but above all, demonstrating that tourism does not drive single-focus economies, it does the exact opposite. Tourism creates value across the entire spectrum of the economy,” he said.

Also speaking during the conference, Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Alexandros Vassilikos echoed Hatzis, adding that the goal should not focus on achieving record arrivals but rather on quality and far-reaching strategies while adding that the regulation of short-term rental activity is crucial.

Vassilikos went on to announce the release of a relevant study which examines the impact of Airbnb-style activities on communities. According to Hatzis, there are currently more than 150,000 beds available for short-term lease on Crete alone.

Archive photo of Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Alexandros Vassilikos.

Other key takeaways of the event include calls by hotelier associations from across Greece for the management of water and waste.

The President of the Heraklion Hoteliers Association Nikos Halkiadakis said arrivals to the island are expected to rise by 3 to 4 percent this year compared to 2023, adding that hotels and flights were nearly fully booked.

Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis underlined the importance of including in policy the impact of climate crisis on tourism and solutions.

Lastly, via video call, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said sustainability, balance and protection of the environment were key government priorities.