The resumption of tourism is just around the corner, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis sending a clear message that visitors from abroad can trust Greece for a safe holiday.
Against the backdrop of the Santorini sunset, the Prime Minister clarified “I am not interested in Greece becoming the number one destination in Europe, I am interested in being the safest destination in Europe. And as we will gradually open in July and as the course will be positive, towards the end of the summer in August, September, and even in October people will come here when they want to travel ", sending the following message:" Come to Greece, bring your friends too ”.
He admitted that we could not know what the fall would be. "It simply came to our notice then. We do not want the tourist season to be completely lost, "he said, calling it a challenge for Greece to move from successful internal management of the pandemic to a successful opening to the world, starting with its European neighbors.
The Prime Minister stressed that the government will support the tourism sector and referred to the flexible working conditions so that businesses can maintain, if not all, most jobs, that the state will contribute to the difference between temporary and full-time employment. Referring to the planning, he said that the goal is "for the tourism industry to be able to overcome this difficult summer and we hope that 2021 will be a very successful year. To keep the industry alive, not to lose too many jobs and to survive a very difficult summer ".
Konsolas: The potential of the country, as a tourist destination, is still strong
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Manos Konsolas, also spoke about the resumption of tourism.
"The resumption of tourism is a one-way street, but at the same time it is a very difficult endeavor. The dynamics of the country, as a tourist destination, is still strong ", he said to APE-MPE, emphasizing that" we are making a new beginning, of course starting from a low base because it is a given that it will be a very difficult year ".
Priority is given to the safety of visitors and citizens, Mr. Konsolas notes that "we want to show that Greece is a safe destination with the observance of health protocols. In this way, we will be in a privileged position, so that in 2021, we will achieve full recovery ".
In fact, he urges everyone to understand that a necessary condition for opening tourism is the observance of health protocols and security measures. "We live in a new norm with new rules that we have to respect. As uncomfortable as these rules are. "
In his speech, Mr. Konsolas focuses on the responsibility that everyone must show and points out that "if each of us does what is necessary in relation to the instructions, in relation to the measures, in relation to the rules we have set, there will be no problem. " This year, let's turn security into a comparative advantage of the Ministry of Tourism, adds Mr. Konsolas. In 2020, Greek tourism must give a potential "present", to confirm its dynamics. The government is aware of the difficulties of this effort for businesses and employees for this and with specific measures it supports and will continue to support the viability of businesses and employment ", Mr. Konsolas underlines in his speech.