While all the recently-appointed ministers of the new administration seem to be bumping into each other in their haste to issue profound statements and vague promises, at least one ministry, Culture and Tourism, has demonstrated its continuity with the old guard in ignoring Crete.

The devastating predictions of another bad tourism season, even worse than last year, has prompted many Cretan businessmen to demand to know what the ministry is doing to paint a glimmer of hope into the bleak portrait of 2010.

In an attempt to get some reassuring answers, The Khronicles first attempted to contact deputy minister Angela Gerekou. When that didn't work, we went right to the top and sent another email to minister Pavlos Geroulanos. Not surprisingly, the answers were the same:

Khronicles: Many 'experts' feel that the future of tourism in Crete is eco-tourism. What are your thoughts on the subject?

Ministry: No answer.

Khronicles: Crete, like the rest of Greece, currently suffers from an overdose of hotels, and still there is on-going construction. How should this problem be addressed?

Ministry: No answer.

Khronicles: Tourism, even more so than many other industries, has been hit hard by the financial crisis, which is said to be extending into at least next year, and insiders feel, now more than ever, that a more comprehensive and aggressive advertising/marketing campaign is needed. Are there plans to expand the country's tourism advertising, and, if so, what would be a more specific agenda?

Ministry: No answer.

Not entirely satisfied with the way the e-interview was going, this reporter then took to the telephone lines. Several calls later, the minister's press officer was reached. Eureka! Finally someone who knows the predicament of the lowly reporter. Wrong.

After persisting in a more aggressive manner, demanding that Crete has a right to some answers, we received a vague response that they may get around to it in a week or two.