2024-04-06 15:06:56
The countdown to the start of the summer tourist season has already begun and Greece is getting closer and closer to reaching a new record, while at the same time it is faced with its chronic ailments
All the indications that are currently on the table show that 2024 will be another excellent year for Greek tourism and the record set in 2023 will be broken and even with relative ease.
There are not a few who believe that receipts will exceed 22 billion euros, compared to 20.4 billion euros last year, while arrivals will exceed 35 million travelers compared to 33 million last year.
Of course, at first reading this is very good news, but there are also the doubts expressed by some, which become more intense as time goes by, about whether Greece has the ability to serve such a large volume of tourists with ease.
They even bring last year’s example of Mykonos and Santorini, stating that the image they presented is not the result of some contemporary things, but neither is it because of the accuracy that exists. And as they pointed out, it is probably an easy reading for someone to say that in one of the most expensive parts of the planet (Mykonos), demand is falling due to the increase in some services or goods.
Infrastructure and planning undermine the effort
Most say that last year’s picture is a ringing bell that some should take seriously and it has to do with the lack of planning, but the lack of infrastructure in these areas, which make the stay of tourists with a big wallet not very pleasant. They typically state that the lack of a road network, but the lawlessness that exists in this bad network has the result that some people turn their backs and choose other destinations.
They also state that especially on these two islands a solution should be given or there should be better management in the issue of visitors arriving on these two islands by cruise ships. They note that if two such ships sail to Mykonos and all the travelers disembark, the narrow streets of Mykonos will become clogged and create a serious problem for those who live on the island.
Big shortage of staff
Another serious issue, which is not Greek, but undoubtedly causes turmoil and requires solutions, is the lack of personnel estimated to exceed 50,000 people for specific specialties. As Handelsblatt typically reports, the growing lack of labor force in Greece puts in the foreground the need to solve this specific issue. Skills missing are chefs, cooks, receptionists, maids, gardeners. The problem that tourism businesses will face is real and the numbers are relentless. According to the data of the Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation, the workforce shortages amount to 53,000 and together with the vacancies in catering reach a total of 80,000.
“The labor shortage is an ever-increasing problem,” reports the Handelsblatt report, with the government under fire for stripping Greek tourism of its skilled Greek workforce.
According to the publication, the government, unable to provide solutions, is planning to conclude agreements with other states, which will allow tens of thousands of foreign workers to immigrate to Greece.
Source imerisia.gr