“Our goal is to be able to respond to new market demands and in the tourism model of sustainable development, with respect for the environment and the particularities of local societies”, said the Deputy Minister of Development, Zoe Rapti, during the discussion of the bill “Strengthening tourism infrastructure and tourism education, updating the framework for the practice of the profession of guides and timeshare leases, tourist regulations agencies and other provisions for the enhancement of tourism”.

Mrs. Rapti underlined that the bill is the product of the dialogue with the local government, with the social partners, with the professionals in the field, because tourism is a collective product that requires close and holistic cooperation of all parties involved. The aim of the new provisions, as he said, is the formation of the new tourism model based on competitiveness, innovation, the differentiation of the offered tourist product, in terms of quality and sustainability.

“By voting against the proposed provisions, you say ‘yes’ to the ability of local communities to utilize their special characteristics, you say ‘yes’ to the protection and safeguarding of the profession of guides and the quality guiding services they have been offering for decades, you say ‘yes’ to the strengthening of the tourism schools, you say yes to our students gaining equal rights with the rest of the students”, said the Deputy Minister of Tourism, addressing the parliamentary benches and added: “By overvoting the proposed provisions, we come one step closer to our goal for the operation of one innovative quality, sustainable and competitive tourism product which will highlight our country as a global destination and will bring stable and long-term benefits to local communities and the national economy”.

Ms. Rapti stated that with the bill, the profession of the tour guide is clearly defined and distinguished from the work of the escorts, with the aim of both protecting the guides themselves and ensuring the quality of services provided to tourists. In relation to the new framework for tourism education, he underlined that the goal of the new arrangements is to equip students with real skills and knowledge.

“We issue a special student ID card to the students of ASTE in order to have the same social benefits as the students of HEIs. These are social policy issues that will bring relief to our students, as well as their families, and which for the first time are being resolved today with the provisions of this bill. We are empowering the graduates of the Higher Schools of Tourism Education in Rhodes and Crete with the right to academic development at level 6. We are now offering a way out for the academic development of ASTE graduates for master’s degrees, doctorates and Erasmus”, said Elena Rapti and added that for the first time permanent procedures are being regulated recruitment in ASTE and SAEK Tourism.