The Prime Minister called for better wages and working conditions for tourism workers, stressing that tourism must be attractive not only to visitors but also to those who work in it.
The encouraging prospects of Tourism in Greece which he characterized “multilevel growth lever” pointed out Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his speech at the General Assembly of SETE which was broadcast on video.
The Prime Minister characterized tourism “pillar of the economy and source of national wealth” which as he said is located “but again faced with new bets” and called on entrepreneurs in the field of Tourism to invest in the human factor, giving better wages and working conditions.
“And as the shortage of staff in the industry becomes threatening, it requires new approaches: by extending, for example, the tourist season, by special arrangements for the employment of foreign workers, but also by linking tourism with other activities since the autumn. “But it also requires investment in the human factor. Because tourism must be attractive not only to visitors but also to those who work in it. Something that refers to better wages and working conditions.” said Mr. Mitsotakis.
He also stressed that tourism must align its model with digital operation and the ecological modeland said he has an ally in a state that is constantly modernizing the state, while he made special reference to the financing options of the Recovery Plan and the NSRF for tourism businesses, talking about a financial pillar that will allow companies to make leaps in the future.
“On the part of the state, we are undertaking the upgrade of infrastructure, from roads, ports and airports to water supply or recycling. Even the shift of education to sectors that the economy and the labor market are looking for.” said Mr. Mitsotakis.
Referring to the new model of tourism product, for which, as he said, government and companies should work together, the Prime Minister pointed out the need to reduce the environmental footprintthe tackling “hyper-tourism” with new infrastructure and smart flow management, sustainable practices that will affect both local communities, and shaping alternative destinations and the 12 months of the year.
“Because strong Greek tourism means a strong national economy, more national wealth, a share that everyone will have. But also more jobs in the cities, in the mountain villages and, of course, on our islands.” he said.
The speech of the Prime Minister in detail at the General Assembly of SETE:
This year’s General Assembly of your Association coincides with the end of a two-year unprecedented challenge. But also with the start of a new and exciting chapter for Greek tourism.
Because the industry paid a heavy price for the pandemic, but with the support of the state it remained standing. Holding on to losses, shielding employment and maintaining its dynamism.
Thus, the forecasts for the current tourist season are extremely encouraging. And the sector you serve seems to be regaining its position as a pillar of the economy and a source of national wealth, but again faced with new bets. Because the Russian invasion of Ukraine is once again disrupting international travel, causing an energy crisis and an “explosion” in prices.
This means that the cost of services is increasing, while reducing the purchasing power of millions of people, while at the same time the climate crisis and the evolution of technology are rapidly changing the consumer habits of visitors.
Our tourism, therefore, is called upon to align its model with the digital function and the ecological model. It also has the right weapons: the Greek brand is in the top five in the world. It has a large spread in its markets. It has an ally as a state that is constantly modernizing the state.
Above all, however, it moves within the incomparable natural and cultural landscape of our homeland, the utilization of which – you know it well – is a unique comparative advantage.
That is why the coexistence of competitive tourism with respect for nature is a priority. Thus, the Special Spatial Framework for Tourism is completed. Local Urban Plans are promoted in dozens of areas. While the interventions for simpler approvals of the environmental conditions and the special incentives for large investments are consecutive.
At the same time, the state finances the production of clean energy, as well as the proper management of waste. Reinforces areas hit by natural disasters with social tourism programs. Takes care of the protection of the sea from pollution and overfishing. But also with the policy for the “Fraudulent Mountains” it stimulates their own gentle development.
Business viability, however, also implies social viability.
And as the shortage of staff in the industry becomes threatening, it requires new approaches: by extending, for example, the tourist season, by special arrangements for the employment of foreign workers, but also by linking tourism with other activities since the autumn and post.
But it also requires investment in the human factor. Because tourism must be attractive not only to visitors but also to those who work in it. Something that refers to better salaries and working conditions.
This is required by the free market but also by social responsibility. Only the happy employee, after all, becomes a productive employee, for himself and for the company.
On the state side, we undertake the upgrade of infrastructure, from roads, ports and airports to water supply or recycling. Even the shift of education to sectors sought by the economy and the labor market.
It is your job to discover what that is and to bring it about. Digitization is already changing everything in product marketing, worldwide. Activates applications that facilitate seamless travel. While simplifying environmental management, improving the lives of residents and visitors.
Astypalea, Halki and Tilos already show the way to harmonize tourism with the principles of the circular economy and energy autonomy.
Today, ladies and gentlemen, we lack neither policies nor resources. Do you know that the National Recovery Plan directs huge sums of money towards the digital and green transformation of businesses. The credits from the new NSRF are also important, with the same goal.
So it is up to the industry, in your hand, to take advantage of this powerful financial springboard to make the big leap into the future.
Reduction of the environmental footprint. Tackling “hyper-tourism” with new infrastructure and smart flow management. Sustainable practices that will also affect local communities. And of course the formation of alternative destinations in the 12 months of the year. These are just some of the aspects of the new tourism product model that we need to work on.
Because strong Greek tourism means a strong national economy, more national wealth, a share that everyone will have. But also more work in the cities, in the mountain villages and, of course, in our islands.
In other words, when we talk about tourism we are talking about a multilevel national lever of development, in the centers but also in the regions of our country.
Dear friends,
It is the first time that I am not among you, but I have the same certainty that your General Assembly will approach with maturity but also courage all these challenges, transferring the experience from every tourist activity, to every place of the country. Mainly, however, by submitting innovative, bold proposals, which I will look forward to using in the planning of the state.
That’s why I wish you good luck in your endeavors.
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