Corfu, March 14 – In a move that has sparked ‘surprise and intense disappointment,’ five leading tourism sector bodies in Corfu have issued a joint statement protesting the Deputy Minister of Labour’s failure to meet with them during her recent visit to the island. The Deputy Minister’s itinerary included various meetings and visits, even with the Metropolitan of Corfu, but notably excluded any engagement with tourism representatives or workers.
Lack of Dialogue Raises Serious Questions
The joint statement highlights this oversight as raising ‘reasonable and serious questions’ regarding the Ministry of Labour’s perception of Greek tourism and its workforce. The bodies question the importance placed on a sector that ‘decisively supports the country’s economy and employs tens of thousands of workers.’
“The complete absence of any meeting or dialogue with the representatives of tourism workers and bodies cannot be considered accidental or negligible. On the contrary, it creates a sense of deep detachment from the real problems of the sector, which require immediate attention, substantial discussion, and concrete solutions,” the statement reads.
Tourism Workers: The Backbone of the Economy
The protesting bodies emphasize that tourism workers and professionals are not merely a ‘decorative element of the economy.’ They are the individuals who ‘daily uphold one of the most important pillars of the country’s development.’ The statement asserts that ignoring them by the political leadership of the relevant ministry sends a ‘misguided message’ and ‘certainly does not contribute to building trust.’
Call for Respect and Meaningful Dialogue
The organizations urge the Ministry of Labour to ‘understand the true dimension of the tourism sector and to practically demonstrate that it respects and listens to the people of the industry.’ They stress that ‘dialogue with society and workers cannot be selective or omitted when political representatives visit areas that rely almost exclusively on tourism.’
“Corfu and its people deserve genuine interest and not perfunctory visits without content,” the statement concludes.
Signatories to the Joint Statement
The joint statement was signed by the following representatives of Corfu’s tourism sector:
- Dimitris Diavatis – President of the Corfu Association of Travel Agents (AOCTA)
- Konstantinos Merianos – President of the Corfu Hoteliers Association
- Periklis Katsaros – President of the Federation of Tourist Accommodation Owners of Corfu
- Kostas Mouzakitis – President of the Ionian Federation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship
- Sissy Savvati – President of the Association of Licensed Tourist Guides of the Ionian Islands and Western Greece
The tourism sector in Corfu, like many other Greek islands, is a vital component of the local and national economy, providing employment and contributing significantly to the GDP. The perceived lack of engagement from a key government ministry has therefore caused considerable concern among industry stakeholders.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the tourism sector in Greece, particularly in balancing its economic contribution with the needs and concerns of its workforce and local communities. The call for meaningful dialogue suggests a desire for greater collaboration between government bodies and industry representatives to address these issues effectively.
