Apparently frustrated by the avalanche of negative publicity generated around the world by the outrageous and illegal behaviour of its young tourists, Malia Mayor Kostas Lagoudakis has appealed to both the British Government and certain tour companies for help in dealing with the problem.

“We believe now we have exhausted avenues open to us and still this practice continues,” he said. “We cannot legally forbid the tour companies from bringing and promoting such tourism. They must develop a conscience and stop it themselves.”

The mayor, who described all the youthful offenders as British people, stated:  “The government of Britain has to do something. These people are giving a bad name to their country.”

But, will the tour companies and the British government assist in solving this problem, or will the mayor’s pleas for help be ignored?

According to Claire Fragaki, the British Vice Consul in Iraklion, the consulate is gravely aware of the problem and has already taken decisive action to help remedy the Malia situation.

“We must all work together or nothing will be achieved,” she said. “And our government has already taken action.”

Just prior to this year’s tourist season, the British Embassy in Athens hosted a meeting to discuss the challenges created in certain Greek resorts by youth tourism and to achieve co-ordination between those involved in youth tourism and agree on strategies to reduce the number of sometimes dangerous incidents involving some young British tourists.

Among those attending the meeting were the Ministry of Tourism General Secretary Spyridon Efstathopoulos, the Malia Mayor Kostas Lagoudakis, and representatives of major tour operators and holiday companies.

“I and other participants are determined to do whatever we can to reduce the number of accidents and incidents which result in young holidaymakers ending up in hospital or police stations or even losing their lives,” British Ambassador Simon Gass said. 

As a result of the meeting, Mrs. Fragaki said the British Embassy produced various posters and cards with the warnings to young Malia tourists, such as: This is a rape victim… Don’t be the next one… Know your limits; Medical bills can rapidly run into thousands of pounds and Drinking makes you more vulnerable to violent crime.

“We distributed 30,000 cards and hundreds of posters, plus about 40,000 Spikeys (a plastic stopper to protect drinks from being spiked),” Mrs. Fragaki said. “The tour operators and local bar owners cooperated with the distribution and we feel it made a difference. In spite of all the headlines, the 2008 season showed a reduction in the number of accidents and incidents reported to the consulate.”

She added that the embassy hopes to sponsor further meetings next year.

GNTO President Athanasios Ikonomou, in an exclusive interview with The Khronicles regarding the Malia situation, said:  we have developed a broad package of actions and initiatives in cooperation with local operators, tour operators and residents to build together a new model of tourism development . . . a tourist product to go beyond the anachronism of the past. We are determined to succeed.”

Mr. Ikonomou continues: “Under no circumstances do we want to impose a police regime. Instead we want (restore) order so all residents, domestic and foreign visitors . . . feel free to really enjoy what is generously offered by Greece: a carefree, fun, quality holiday.”

(Editor’s note: Read the entire interview with Mr. Ikonomou).

 While both the British Embassy and GNTO only used the generic term, tour operators, everyone concerned is acutely aware of the role of specific companies in promoting “drinking binge” tourism to young people.

One of the biggest is Club 18-30, a holiday company owned by the Thomas Cook Group, which offers cut-price holidays for young men and women who are out for what they claim to be "a good time” . . . with guiding mantra of: Nothing is sacred, if it's going to be a good laugh.

In promoting Malia on its website, the tour company liberally uses phrases like: Club it! . . . Bar it! . . . 24-hour bars!

And now, the tour company’s website announces it has obtained properties in neighbouring Hersonissos, and patrons can now “choose from Malia or our hot new resort, Hersonissos.”

This reporter attempted to contact Spiros Danellis, mayor of Hersonissos, numerous times to determine how he felt about Club 18-30 invading his township, but he was continuously unavailable for comment.

However, every other person contacted had very definite comments. All Hersonissos residents and business owners interviewed, excluding bar and club operators, were resoundingly opposed to having their town face a reign of boozy terror as recently experienced in Malia.

 “We have a better class of hotels here, and we’re a better resort than Malia, but we still have our own problems to deal with,” said a taverna owner who asked to remain anonymous. “We certainly don’t need more problems associated with that type of tourist.”

Since Thomas Cook, the original founder in the 1800s of the huge travel company which now owns Club 18-30, was a Baptist minister and member of a Temperance Society, he’s no doubt spinning in his grave.