Tourist Guides in Greece to Strike July 11 in Protest of New Draft Tourism Bill

Photo source: FEG Tourist Guides

Tourist guides in Greece will go on strike on Thursday, July 11, from 6am to 8pm, in response to a new draft bill of the Tourism Ministry currently under deliberation in Parliament before its upcoming vote. They will gather for a protest in front of the Parliament building in central Athens starting at 10am

The Panhellenic Tourist Guide Federation (POXEN) once again voiced its opposition to the bill titled “Strengthening Tourist Infrastructure and Education”, which has been labeled “catastrophic” by professional tour guides.

In a recent press release, POXEN reiterates its objections to several specifics of the bill, particularly the restriction of their professional services to enclosed spaces.

Tourist guides argue that Greece’s civilization is not confined to specific sites, and they fear that the new bill could inadvertently “open the door” for illegal guides to enter the market. When they use the term “illegal”, professional tourist guides in Greece are referring to uncertified individuals who may begin offering their services.

Photo source: FEG Tourist Guides

Supported by the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG), POXEN insists that under the proposed law, certified guides would be restricted to specific sites such as monuments and museums. This could potentially allow “unqualified individuals from anywhere in the world” to provide services, fundamentally altering professional tour guiding to mere “escorting”, according to POXEN’s press release.

While the Greek Tourism Ministry claims that the new law aims to enhance tourism education and update professional standards for tourist guides, POXEN points out that the current law (710/77) aligns with EU standards. Tourist guides argue that the new bill threatens to undermine these quality guarantees for their services and could harm the country’s reputation.