Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis organized a teleconference with the participation of Government officials and representatives of the tourism industry, to discuss the significant impact of the COVID-19 crisis on tourism, as well as the prospects of a dynamic restart, when conditions allow it.
At the beginning of the teleconference, the Prime Minister stated:
“We will engage in a comprehensive discussion on the prospects of the tourism industry for the coming season, but also for 2021. We are fully aware that the impact of this crisis on tourism will be significant.
Our goal for 2020 is to mitigate the negative consequences, to the extent possible, taking into consideration that the Greek product is characterised by a particular trait; the largest volume of visitors come to Greece in July, August and September.
I consider it extremely important, however, that the country has achieved and built, in the course of dealing with this health crisis, a significant stock of confidence, which will allow us, I believe, to formulate the best possible strategy to salvage what we can, from this year’s season, but also to lay the groundwork for a much better season in 2021.
You know that we have acted quickly to support the “hibernation” of businesses, and to reinforce not only the businesses of the industry, but also the employees. Naturally, we will also support your own work with new, innovative initiatives. I think that “Greece From Home” —and I would like to congratulate all participants— is indeed a global innovation that highlights the country’s ingenuity in dealing with this crisis. Our goal is to reach some specific conclusions for policies which will have a direct effect on the tourism industry.”
In the course of the meeting, the unprecedented situation developed in the tourism sector was assessed, and it was stressed that the Government’s priority is to mitigate the negative impact, to the extent possible, while supporting companies of the industry and employees; also, to plan ahead for the prospects of tourism in our country after the end of the pandemic.
The meeting attendees were: the Minister of Tourism, Harry Theoharis, State Minister, George Gerapetritis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister for Government Coordination, Akis Skertsos, Infectious Diseases Specialist and Chief Scientist for the Greek CDC, Sotiris Tsiordas, General Secretary for Coordination of Economic and Growth Policies, Vicky Loizou, General Secretary of Economic Policy Christos Triantopoulos, General Secretary of Public Investment and Partnership Agreement, Dimitris Skalkos, Chief Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Alexis Patelis, Chief Creative Officer of the Greek Government, Steve Vranakis, President of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Giannis Retsos, Vice President of SETE, Eftychis Vassilakis, Member of the Board of SETE, Ioannis Paraschis.
