«As a Chamber of Commerce we make two strategic points. The first is to identify a new development model for Greek tourism in the coming decades. In the digital age, we cannot go… Arab. This means investing in upgrading all infrastructure related to tourism, from airports, harbors and marinas to golf courses or seaplanes. It also means a clear spatial planning to ensure that environmental protection rules are in place and that it is exploited as a huge comparative advantage for our tourist product. It also means a pro-investment environment. From the issuance of the first license to the opening of the investment», Alexandros Vassilikos, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said in an interview with «In-On».
Q. What are the new strategies of the Chamber for the development of tourism?
A. The question of the strategy you put in your question is crucial. But we need to take a step back to grasp the «big picture». We all need to realize the importance of tourism – especially in this context – for the economy and society. The contribution of tourism is national in order for the country to return to regularity. So there is a need for a national strategy for the further development and development of tourism in Greece. Tourism cannot be in the «autopilot», nor can complacency be because a season is going well and our tourist product is in demand. It is imperative for all and above all by those in charge of governance to design and compose a national strategy, integrated and coherent, innovative and competitive, enabling Greek tourism to unleash its full potential and to give what it really can.
The Hellenic Chamber of Commerce as an institutional advisor to the State and has the obligation to embody this design with ideas and suggestions. Let’s open the road to tomorrow in a demanding global environment dominated by relentless competition to attract tourist preferences. It is a true «battlefield» in which we must realize that we are not alone. There are others who «run», old and new competitors, so in order to gain competitive advantages we really have to give our best.
Here, as a Chamber of Commerce, we make two strategic points. The first is to identify a new development model for Greek tourism in the coming decades. In the digital age, we cannot go… Arab. This means investing in upgrading all infrastructure related to tourism, from airports, harbors and marinas to golf courses or seaplanes. It also means a clear spatial planning to ensure that environmental protection rules are in place and that it is exploited as a huge comparative advantage for our tourist product. It also means a pro-investment environment. From the issuance of the first license to the opening of the investment. Growth without investment is not happening and at the moment, our industry as a whole makes the largest private investment in the country, supporting the national economy. It creates the climate of stability and confidence to come to tourism and direct foreign investments that can give even greater impetus to the Greek tourism product in the global market.
But designing this new developmental model that will take us in the future is not enough. So I come to the second strategic point we make as a Chamber of Commerce. We have to root out all the «weeds» that exist at the moment and threaten the boom of Greek tourism and the Greek hotel, despite the possibilities that exist. And these «weeds» are nothing but overexploitation that has exhausted the financial capacity of the Greek hotel, the unfair competition from the impudence of those who pretend to be the hoteliers without being, through the short-term lease of real estate, and finally, the «red loans» which need to enter a final phase of solution with productive and fair market-based criteria.
Q. What thematic tourism has a rapid growth in Greece? Necessary statistics.
A. Your second question is equally important, as thematic tourism is one of our most important weapons in the fight against the seasonality of Greek tourism, aiming to achieve the prolongation of the tourist season. The country has excellent opportunities for developing various forms of thematic tourism. Based on its own comparative strengths and attributes, each region can shape the theme or combination of topics that can provide expert experiences that are the core of thematic tourism.
So we would offend the possibilities of the country if we said that or another form of thematic tourism goes better than the others. The important thing is, as says a famous saying, «Let all flowers flow».
However, we must always have our feet on the ground. Theoretical approaches are good, but the issue is not just about the benefits of thematic tourism. The best words are the acts. In order to go ahead, thematic tourism in all its dimensions and forms needs work. It will not fall as a success from the sky. Thematic tourism requires vision, plan, program and investment. It also requires high value-added products and services. We, as a Chamber of Commerce, established the «Greek Breakfast» that links the tourism with the primary production sector and serves the experience of agro-food tourism. We supported this initiative on the quality of Greek products and at the same time we supported these products to find their way to foreign markets. The benefits are multiplier. This is confirmed by the studies we have prepared as a Chamber of Tourism for Health Tourism and Third Age Tourism.
But to win the theme of thematic tourism we also need a great change of attitude from all of us. From hoteliers, local communities, local authorities, all without exception. Thematic tourism as stressed wants design and quality. It cannot be served by the convenience of «Harpa glue», from the «room to let» rationale of the 80s or the Airbnb today. Easy winnings usually have small prizes. The theme of thematic tourism is great and we can win it by demonstrating responsibility and seriousness. Having 12 months of tourism is a very big prize!
Tourism Battle Track
