The need to draw up a national strategic plan for Greek tourism, along the lines of the study already carried out by SETE, was noted in an interview with APE-MBE by the former president of the association, Yannis Retsos, emphasizing that maintaining Greek tourism at the top is more difficult since its conquest. In 2023, Greek tourism soared in arrivals and revenues, a fact that particularly pleases the former president of SETE, since in his six-year term he fought the pandemic management but also contributed to tourism gaining strong institutional representation, such as he points out. The amazing record of 20.5 billion euros in the eleventh month of 2023 did not come by chance, noted Yiannis Retsos in APE-MPE, and for this reason it requires significant efforts and actions to maintain them.

Tourism is a cycle and at some point the bend will come

Tourism is a cycle, and when the Greek tourism industry finds itself at a turning point, the country and the professionals should have the tools to manage it, emphasizes the former president of SETE. However, Yiannis Retsos does not see a decline in tourist numbers in the current year since he estimates that 2024 will be better than 2023, if there are no extraordinary events. In the meantime, he clarifies that a downward cycle with a 10% drop in tourism figures will not be catastrophic, since he estimates that the Greek economy will not experience bankruptcy and pandemic situations for the second time.

The implementation of a national strategic plan for Greek tourism is essential

The implementation of a national plan for Greek tourism is mainly dictated by the fact that Greece is now among the mature tourist destinations (France, Spain, Italy), which makes us vulnerable to criticism. As Mr. Retsos explains, 34 million visitors come to Greece who now pay dearly to come, compared to the previous 10 years when Greece was fighting to climb high on the list of desired destinations. “If we cannot provide what the visitors have bought (services – hospitality, etc.) then there will be a problem and the Greek tourist product will be open to criticism. In order to prevent the above development from happening, private individuals have proceeded to modernize their infrastructure , something that has not happened at the level of public infrastructure, says Mr. Retsos. Especially in the area of ​​sustainability, leaps are needed for the country to respond to climate change. “You need a sustainable strategy to be liked by the potential visitor, who will now choose with the criterion of the sustainability of Greek destinations”, reminds Mr. Retsos.

In the drawer is SETE’s comprehensive plan for Greek tourism

At this point, Yiannis Retsos expresses his concern over the fact that SETE’s plan for the next day of Greek tourism, while discussed at very high levels, remains in the drawer. “I don’t see any organized effort for someone to show that there is a plan for the next day that can be implemented,” says Mr. Retsos and adds the following: In the time of the pandemic there was a plan that everyone followed (protocols in hotels, specific way of entering the country, etc.). And while now the momentum is good for everyone to rally around a plan, today again everyone is on their own,” Mr. Retsos meaningfully underlines.

The work will not magically be solved in the hotels

As far as the issues of the current tourism agenda are concerned, Mr. Retsos focuses on labor issues, climate change and the spread of tourism income to Greek destinations. Regarding labor issues, Mr. Retsos emphasizes that it is a problem that cannot be solved by magic, although the situation is improving in continuously operating hotels. Regarding climate change, he notes that the transition of businesses is imperative and it is good to do it before it is imposed. As for the diffusion of tourism income to the regions that are not at the forefront of the visitation, Mr. Retsos notes that no one can expect dramatic changes on this front. However, an increase in tourism revenue from 15% to 20% will be something very important for them.

In less than 2 years, the investment of the Electra group in Thessaloniki is ready

Giannis Retsos’ tenure at SETE may have ended, but his business plans are in full swing. Head of the hotel chain, Electra, (He is the CEO of Electra Hotels & Resorts) emphasizes that in about 22 months, the group’s new 5-star hotel in Thessaloniki will be ready, with a total investment of 30 million euros. As he explains, his licensing is almost complete and his foundation will begin in the near future. The hotel will be located at the junction of Tsimiski and Ethniki Amini streets, will have 160 rooms and will be housed in a Church of Greece property. This is the seventh hotel of the group, which has a presence in Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Kefalonia. The group’s current investment in Thessaloniki certifies the upward trend of the destination on the tourist map of Greece, as mentioned by Mr. Retsos.