By Marinos Pavlikas *
Without knowing when or how the pandemic of the new coronavirus will be a thing of the past, the wounds it leaves behind have become apparent. More than 24 million cases and more than 830 thousand deaths have been recorded internationally, while the pandemic leaves behind signs of economic recession worldwide.
Tourism is undoubtedly the industry that has been hit hardest by the new pandemic, while the consequences are more evident in Cyprus, which is largely supported by foreign travelers.
A blow to local economies
Local economies have also suffered severely as an indirect loss of tourism revenue. The biggest blow is in the province of Famagusta, which is largely supported by the hospitality sector. Ayia Napa and Protaras were nothing like the tourist resorts with thousands of tourists this year and with the occupancy of hotels reaching 100%. Tourist traffic remained reduced throughout August and relied almost entirely on domestic tourism.
According to the mayors of the two tourist areas of Ayia Napa and Protaras, the hole in their finances left behind by the pandemic reaches a total of 15 million. Specifically, in the Municipality of Paralimni, the Mayor Theodoros Pyrillis told "S" that the loss of revenue reaches 5 million euros and comes mainly from revenue losses, such as beach chairs, overnight taxes and taxes on premises which were not put into operation. Nevertheless, as he mentioned, thanks to the prudent economic policy implemented by the local Authority and despite the development projects that are in progress, the Municipality of Paralimni will be able to cope with the pandemic. The biggest blow seems to have been dealt to the Municipality of Ayia Napa, which, according to Mayor Christos Zannetou, this year will have to face revenue loss of up to 10 million euros, which translates to 60% of the budget of the local authority.
Scream of agony from shopkeepers
In a meeting held on Friday, August 28 at the City Hall of Ayia Napa and attended by POVEK Larnaca-Famagusta, the Associations of Shopkeepers of Ayia Napa and Protaras, the Association of Car Rental ENEMOTO Famagusta Aimontos leisure centers, PASIKA Famagusta and SIKA Famagusta, it became clear that this year's crisis has brought the gratuitous shot to hundreds of businesses and households in free Famagusta that relied entirely on tourism. Considering that only 30% of the hotel units, restaurants and shops were put into operation during this tourist season, it is understandable the extent of the financial damage suffered by the whole region. In fact, in combination with the numb demand in agricultural production, which is the second most important sector of the economy of Kokkinochoria, it is easy to understand that the region could be characterized as "affected".
This, after all, was the main request sent in a letter last July to the President of the Republic by the aforementioned bodies, requesting, among other things, the characterization of the Famagusta province as affected, the implementation of a comprehensive rescue plan by the Government, the freezing of evictions for three years and suspension of installment payments to banks.
Risk of job loss
In addition, a major problem plaguing the tourism sector is the future of jobs. In a recent message, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that a total of about 120 million direct jobs in tourism are at risk, many of them in the informal economy, in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ a large percentage of women and young people. In fact, the Secretary-General made special reference to the effects of the coronavirus in the small island states. In particular, during the first five months of the year, international tourist arrivals fell by more than half and about $ 300 billion was lost in the tourism sector.
More specifically, in its most recent edition, the International Labor Organization on August 11 focused on the effects of the Caribbean tourism pandemic. According to the survey, in Latin America and the Caribbean, 45% of respondents said that at least one member of their family has lost his job due to the pandemic, while 57% said that their crafts and businesses have closed due to the pandemic. of the crisis.
This situation is expected to become more visible in our country from the autumn onwards, when the hotels will close and a large number of staff will be thrown into unemployment, as well as the entire sector of professionals involved in tourism. Despite the Government's efforts to encourage domestic tourism, it seems that the local market is a drop in the ocean in rescuing tourism, which expects arrivals of up to four million each year.
Last chance to turn to tourism
From the beginning of the pandemic, the World Tourism Organization stressed the need to implement and promote sustainable development in tourism. According to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, there is a strong need to rebuild the tourism sector and regain its position as a creator of decent jobs, a stable income and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. However, this, he says, should be done in a safe, equitable and climate-friendly way.
It therefore suggests, firstly, the mitigation of the social and economic effects of the crisis, secondly, the building of resilience throughout the tourism chain, thirdly, the maximization of the use of technology in the tourism sector, and fourthly, the promotion of sustainability and green and, fifthly, the strengthening of synergies so that tourism can further support the Sustainable Development Goals. It draws attention to the fact that supporting millions of tourism-dependent households means building a sustainable and responsible travel experience that is safe for the host communities, employees and travelers.
In conclusion, perhaps one of the many things that should concern us is the fact that a very large part of our society and economy has been built on the foundations of tourism. Even cities have been designed in such a way that they are a pole of attraction exclusively for foreign tourists. And in a way, in fact, a visual image and a kind of services that do not go hand in hand with the quality of tourism we envision, nor with the real identity of our country, nor with the demands of the times, for a sustainable type of tourism. And, perhaps, this is the last chance for us to worry.
From the newspaper Simerini tis Kyriakis (30/8/2020)