This year’s tourist season in Rhodes is in the air because of a serious involvement in the process of interfering with third countries, due to the under -staffing of the Aegean Decentralized Administration.

The process is moving at a very slow pace with deadlines running and at risk of about 2,000 jobs staying vacant mainly in Rhodes and Kos.

About 2,000 jobs are “in the air” due to delays in the process of moving workers from the Philippines, which is also the main market from third countries to fill vacancies in our area and which have given significant support to the wider tourism industry in recent years, covering mainly auxiliary positions.

The problematic situation that has arisen is attributed to the under -staffing of the Aegean Decentralized Administration, which is responsible for carrying out the relevant files.

As Flex Idea, Mr. Konstantinos Karanikolas, told the Democratic Sales Officer, “Until two weeks ago, only one experienced employee was operated, and four people are normally needed to process the work volume.

At the expense of the pressure, the official resigned, leaving the process pending. His position was assumed by a new employee without the required experience, which is called upon to manage 400 files, corresponding to approximately 2,000 jobs. At the relevant offices of the Decentralized in Rhodes and Syros, which serve the Dodecanese and the Cyclades respectively, the staffing is inadequate. Although the envelopes had to be completed by January, delays have brought in despair of hotel groups and businesses. “

Flex Idea, the largest company that brings in -the -Philippines in Greece for three years, points out that currently 1,000 jobs in the five -star hotels in Rhodes and Kos are currently waiting.

According to the company’s sales manager for the South Aegean, our region is gathering most of the posts nationwide nationwide and therefore it is necessary to take care to resolve the issue not only for the involvement that has now emerged but to find a permanent solution. In Kos hotels, the situation is just as difficult as in Rhodes. Units awaiting 200 and 300 employees from the Philippines say that if the issue is not resolved immediately, they will not be able to open and the season begins in just a few days.

The most worrying element is that the Embassy in Manila will only receive dossiers for processing until March 31. Beyond that, whatever has not been handled will be pending, as the Philippine legislation does not allow workers to leave their country for less than six months of work.

Flex Idea has so far managed to serve only 400 people, with a total of 3,000 invitations nationwide, of which 1,200 are exclusively for Rhodes and Kos.

Of these, only 400 folders of invitations have been handled by a fact that threatens to dismantle the planning of the hotel’s tourism businesses of our islands.

This problem is not only limited to businesses, but has a direct impact on the island’s economy. If there is no immediate intervention, the damage will be incalculable, both for hoteliers and for the overall image of tourist Greece abroad.

Constantine Karanikolas sounds the alarm: “It is an urgent and urgent need to activate all the stakeholders in order to solve the problem. Let’s go for a total disaster if no solution is found with the invitations immediately. Decentralized administration is under -staffed and must be strengthened immediately to prevent the season. The staffing must be done in any way to complete the procedures. “

Given that there are already 2,500 vacancies in Rhodes each year, if all 2,000 of the invitations are added, the situation is in danger of taking uncontrollable dimensions.

The country’s image as a top tourist destination is threatened, as staff shortages will lead to either reduced services or even hotels that will not open in time. The country’s tourism industry cannot withstand such a blow.

According to Mr Karanikola, the competent bodies, local government, professional associations and the central government must mobilize immediately to tackle the problem. The tourist season is just around the corner and every day that passes without a solution it exacerbates the risk of an economic and business crisis.

If the necessary measures are not taken, the tourist season of 2025 is in danger of becoming one of the most difficult in recent years, with chain consequences for the whole industry and local community.

The situation requires immediate mobilization of all stakeholders. Strengthening the decentralized administration with additional staff, simplifying bureaucratic processes and rapid implementation of legislative interventions are necessary to avoid the collapse of the tourist season.