A statement from the «All Together» Municipal Party, with Mr. Zacharias Souris as its mayoral candidate, regarding entrepreneurship on the island.
On Kythira, almost all businesses fall into the small and medium-sized category
Kythira, Saturday, September 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
«ALL TOGETHER, KYTHERA - ANTI-KYTHERA»
On Kythira, almost all businesses fall into the small and medium-sized category. At the same time, there are also very small, family-run businesses. Through their operations, these businesses not only preserve the island’s unique entrepreneurial character but also form the foundation of the local economy. They provide year-round jobs to many permanent residents, as they operate on a twelve-month basis, thereby keeping the island’s economy alive. However, they face numerous challenges, and in many cases, these challenges make it difficult for them to remain viable.
One problem they face is their geographic and social isolation. The island’s location makes it difficult to access major food supply markets, resulting in significantly higher transportation costs. Furthermore, during the tourist season, when the number of operating businesses increases significantly, there is a labor shortage, making it difficult for businesses to staff their operations. When we add to this the short duration of the tourist season on the island, it becomes clear just how difficult the reality is for these businesses.
The municipality could address these issues in specific ways:
a) Emphasize alternative forms of tourism, such as hiking, religious, and diving tourism. Promoting these aspects of the island can attract tourists in these categories, thereby extending the tourist season. More months of tourism contribute to the growth of the local economy.
b) To help develop the primary production sector. By providing incentives for young families to enter the primary sector, production will increase. These products can be used by businesses on the island, thereby creating an economic chain linking production to the businesses that utilize it.
At the same time, the development of the primary sector could also make these products suitable for export. Olive oil, honey, wine, and rusks could be shipped all over the world, thereby promoting the island and, by extension, increasing the revenue of these businesses. Furthermore, the production of these goods could be linked to the tourism industry. Establishing businesses selling local products at the island’s entry and exit points would be one such step. Shops at the port and the airport would give travelers the opportunity to sample and purchase the island’s products upon arrival and would encourage them to seek out and purchase them during their stay on the island.
c) To help provide housing for the island’s seasonal workers. Because many businesses cannot find workers from the island, they bring in workers from other areas. The problem they face in this case, however, is that they lack housing for these workers, and renting buildings significantly increases their expenses. The municipality could, however, make municipal buildings available for a nominal fee—if not for free— to accommodate all these workers and ensure that municipal services provide them with administrative assistance. Problems and difficulties may exist. But solutions do exist and can offer a better future for all these businesses!!!
