The Khronicles

 The Bilingual Community Newspaper

'Η Δίγλωσση Τοπική Εφημερίδα Σας

Τα Χρονικά
    ISSUE NO. 51 JULY 2010 WWW.KO-GO.GR    

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The Khronicles

A division of

Ko-Go Επιχειρήσεις

Box 332
Kokkini Hani 71500
Web address: www.ko-go.gr
editor@ko-go.gr
Telephone: 2810-762748
Fax: 2810-762816

Publisher:

Sofia Klidi

Editor:

Lou Duro

Associate Editors:

Tony & Christine

 Bowes

Web Editor

John McLaren

Sales:

Maria Aretaki

Contributors/
Columnists:

Renie Spykerman, Petra Karreman, Maria Daskalaki, John McLaren, Bob Bayes, Father Dimitris Mihouthis, Father Leonidas Hatzakis, Vasiliki Alexaki-Hronaki, Niki Yiamalaki, Nikolaos Papadakis, Spyros Hatzakis, Panagiota Giannopoulou, Evi Karvounaki, Maria Aretaki

Translations:

Ada Vamvoukaki

Photographer:

Sami Moudavaris

Layout & Design:

George Drakakis

Printed By:

G Detorakis

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TOURISM BLOCKED
BY LABOUR STRIKES

By Lou Duro and Sofia Klidi


 While Greece burns in an inferno of labour unrest, which is fodder for the insatiable news media around the world, the government seems to be standing firm in its programme of sweeping austerity measures to combat the current financial crisis.

The strikes, however, have accomplished one thing: according to industry insiders, the labour protests, some extremely violent, have almost single-handedly cut the number of tourists coming to Greece, and Crete, by 30 to 50 percent, depriving the country  of much-needed income from one of its top industries.

While advance reservations in general are down over 30 percent, cancellations are pouring in at an extraordinary rate.

The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) reported that in the first 24 hours after the general strike in early May, more than 5,800 reservations were cancelled in 28 Athens hotels alone. While there are no official records for Crete, a random survey of local hoteliers confirms similar conditions.

Particularly hard hit are the conference, seminar and special event segments of the industry, of which Crete is a major player.

And, according to a local property agent, hundreds of hotels and thousands of business are up for sale, but no one is interested. Actually, more than 400 hotels, including some luxury complexes, are now officially for sale, 44 of which are in Crete, all at bargain-basement prices. One report estimates the value of all properties currently on the market at more than five billion euros.

“Owning a hotel is no longer a good business,” said a Crete hotel owner, who offers 70 rooms and more than 200 beds. “It’s mid-May and only eight rooms are occupied at the moment. And the coming high season doesn't look good either, with only 50 percent of my rooms already booked -- in the middle of the summer vacation period! How are we supposed to continue?” he asked.


 In previous years, Greece attracted more than 16 million tourists annually, contributing 15 percent to the nation's Gross Domestic Product. With those numbers slashed in half, or even by 30 percent, the effect on the country’s economy could be devastating.

For a clearer picture of the correlation between these strikes and the tourism debacle, following is a review of the labour unrest for May, the traditional start of the tourist season.

May 3: all local government employees (ΟΤΑ).

May 4: a 48-hour strike from the Teachers’ Federation (ΔΟΕ);  the Highest Administration of the Unions of Public Employees (ΑΔΕΔΥ); the Judicial Employees of Greece; the General Co-Federation of Workers in Greece (ΓΣΕΕ); all workers in buses, trains and trolleys, and the Pan-Hellenic Federation of all employees in public hospitals (ΠΟΕΔΗΝ).

May 5: The Pan-Hellenic Federation of editors and journalists (ΠΟΕΣΥ); all Greek airspace and train networks; Pan-Workers Fighting Front (ΠΑΜΕ); the General Federation of the Workers of the National Electric Company in the Electric Energy Sector (ΓΕΝΟΠ ΔΕΗ – ΚΗΕ);  Pan-Hellenic strike by the Federation of Bank Employee Organizations in Greece (ΟΤΟΕ), and all shops.  

(Due to the strikes of May 5, many countries published travel directives warning their citizens that were already in Greece or were planning to travel to Greece. Bulgaria, besides issuing the directive also cancelled all railway connections to Greece.)

May 6: all bank employees.

May 20: General 24-hour Pan-Hellenic strike of all workers was called by ΑΔΕΔΥ and ΓΣΕΕ.

May 22: The Pan-Hellenic Federation of Professional Agents of Forecasting Games (Π.Ο.Ε.Π.Π.Π).

May 26: the governing board of the Federation of Associations of the Prefectoral Governments of Greece called a 24 hour strike and demonstration.



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