Its closure has caused intense reactions among tourism professionals of the emblematic Shipwreck in Zakynthosone of the most important landmarks on the island.
According to imerazante.gr, the new decisions brought a great disturbance to the people of tourism, who see that there will immediately be huge economic effects, as with the new measures many visitors will not want to see the attraction from afar and others are likely even to cancel their trip.

The owner of a tourist office and retired merchant marine captain, Petros of Cyprus, he said: “It’s causing trouble all over the island. At this moment we are “paying” certain lords of the island for the last 30 years and they “hanged” all the businessmen of the island, because for better or worse Zakynthos has been associated with the Shipwreck. A very large percentage of visitors over 60-70% come exclusively for the Shipwreck. Bad in my opinion because the island has too many things. As for the Shipwreck, we have now closed it. Who will pay for this damage? These Deputy Regional Governors, Mayors who are at home and now drinking their coffee and supposedly have a clear conscience??? Unfortunately, it will have repercussions and I think it won’t be just for this year.”

For his part, the President of the Consortium of Ships Porto Vromi – Maries and Captain, Dionysis Yatras, noted: “The Shipwreck is the most important reason why people visit the island. After the latest events I fear that games are hidden behind this decision. Is it considered correct that it stops us 500 meters before Navagio beach and allows visitors to go 10 meters from the cliff??? The difference is huge, and of course at 10 meters from the cliff people will not be able to see the slightest thing. Of course, above all it is safety. I’m of the opinion that swimming and disembarking on the beach should not be allowed to reduce the risk but this new measure that says we have to stay out of the bay is the least tragic.”

Finally, the hotelier and former president of the Association of Hoteliers of D.E. Arkadion, Theodoris Kolpondinos, emphasized: “What is unfortunately confirmed is the inaction, the indifference, the incompetence they have shown for the Shipwreck for decades. We should have had another approach as it really deserves taking seriously the physiognomy of the wider land and sea area. The Region and the Municipality should immediately cooperate and with the contribution of our Member of Parliament Mr. Aktypis, the necessary actions should be taken immediately to ensure safety and order in the wider area and also yesterday… a Management Body should be established by the involved bodies. We do not know to what extent the developments will affect attendance for this season. If it is something that will apply in the coming years, it will clearly affect her.”

Ti declares the regional governor

This decision was unexpected, since after the initial statements of the Minister of Tourism V. Kikilia, the impression was formed that the authorities had managed to come to an agreement with the relevant ministries in order to open the Shipwreck this year and to take parallel measures for the safety of the visitors.

The District Governor I.N. Rodi Kratsa – Tsagaropoulou issued the following announcement: “The recent joint ministerial decision regarding the “taking of measures to prohibit visitors’ access to the area of ​​the Zakynthos Shipwreck” needs clarification regarding the data of the area and its safe visitation conditions. For this reason, we asked the Ministers of Tourism Vassilis Kikilia and Climate Crisis & Civil Protection Christos Stylianidis to specify with a clarifying circular the implementation of the measures that must be applied immediately but also gradually, based on the scientific observations of the team of Professor Efthymios Lekkas according to which traffic conditions to date are prohibitive but the implementation of correct measures can provide a solution. The Shipwreck as a natural monument with a huge amount of visitors is a complex case with serious security and protection issues that have never in the past been properly dealt with either by the state or by the local government. The Region of the Ionian Islands is ready to cooperate with the competent bodies to contribute to safe visitors, but also to overturn the image of apathy and indifference of the local government of the past years”.