THE ANNUAL REPORT ON TOURISM BY THE GREEK CHAMBER OF TOURISM
The Greek government took fourteen measures in order to confront the crisis and fortify the field of tourism in December 2008, according to the Annual Report on Greek Tourism 2009 by the Greek Chamber of Tourism. For the design of the Report, Mr. V. Patsouratis (Scientific deputy, Professor in the School of Economics in Athens) and Mr. S. Maganaris (Researcher in the Tourism Research Institute) cooperated.
Comparable measures were taken in other countries as well while the World Tourism Organization issued a report summarizing relative measures (financial measures, monetary measures, measures for human resources, measures for the facilitation of travels, measures for the marketing, public-private partnerships, environmental measures and international co-operations).
In Greece these measures concern:
-The increase of the expenses to project Greece to 50%, aiming at tourists’ influx.
The above step, even though it is positive, was not taken in due time resulting in the campaign to be shown during the peak tourist season. The issue of projecting and promoting Greece is of vital importance and needs a thorough analysis in order to lead things to the right direction.
-The reduction of the Single Charge of Property from 1% on the value of the building and 6% on the value of the building site to 0, 33% for the years 2009 and 2010.
It is obvious that the profits the companies gain due to this measure are directly related to rate able value of the building and the building site. Taking into account that this value is often high, reduction in the taxation will be considerate.
-The proceeds of financial charges of the L. 128/75 are suspended for a year regarding the total of the loans on behalf of the businesses that deal with tourism towards the banks. According to scientific research, this measure is equal to the subsidy of the companies that deal with tourism with 44, 4 million Euros in 2009.
– Enterprises on Tourism will be financed in the framework of the «Program for the Support of the Liquidity of the Economy».
– The National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 is immediately and dynamically implemented, through which actions of tourism infrastructure are financed, as well as services and companies. Because of this measure small companies are financed to invest in buildings, formation of the surrounding environment, renovation, building modernization, purchase of machinery, creation of a website and a system of electronic booking.
– The charge of residence of the immigrants is reduced for self-administration from 2% to 0, 3%. This loss of Local Authority is replaced by the 20% increase of the sources derived by circulation taxes.
– Special care is taken for the immediate return of the payable Value Added Tax (VAT) by the Tax and Revenue offices.
– Through a Special security fund of the small and very small companies, fluid capital with a total subsidy of the interest up to the amount of 350 thousand is provided.
– Direct priority is given to the payment of the due subsidies for those firms that have been subjected to the Investment Law and Public Investments Scheme.
– The issue of the functional regularization of the hotel units which has constituted a fixed and lasting problem is being confronted.
– The seasonal unemployment benefits are modified to working allowances.
– The number of tickets for Social Tourism organized by the Workers’ Center is increased to 21% for 2009.
– A program of theoretical and practical training to compel the participating companies to absorb 30% of the trainees is under process.
– Special care is taken for the strengthening of the hotels and other relative businesses that are damaged in the center of Athens (it has to be noted that no measure was taken towards this direction).