Whether we like it or not, we live in the century of speed. Everything around us is changing at a dizzying pace. Those who cannot realize it in time simply have no future.
Yes. I am referring to tourism. The «heavy industry» of our country and certainly one of the main pillars of the economy and development of Kythera.
I will refer to some events that we are all aware of, but perhaps we have not realised the catalytic effect they have on tourism:
1) Climate change: It is present today and particularly threatening for the present and the future. Rhodes, for example, is already paying a heavy price for the unprecedented fire that has burned much of the island and radically altered its beautiful landscape. Will it recover relatively quickly to the desired extent? We hope so, but it is far from certain. After all, the damage to the island's tourist product has already been done. Cancellations of bookings, hasty departure of tourists and, above all, a heavy blow to the island's image abroad.
2) Accuracy, which is a global phenomenon, but in some countries it has begun to be tamed, is hitting hard the Greek tourist product on offer. And as if that were not enough, we also see the greed of some businessmen. A black example is the outrageous prices in Mykonos. Many news stories about particularly «inflated bills» on this particular island have made the rounds. The negative publicity created the hashtag #NoMykonos, resulting in a noticeable decrease in arrivals to the tourist island. We would like to hope that we will overcome this as a country, but... «plus Athena and a hand to the hand»...
3) The «emerging» tourist destinations. We must immediately understand that Crete's competitor in tourism is not the Cyclades and Kythera or any other Greek island. It is Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Morocco, Spain, Vietnam, Croatia, but also the constantly rising Albania with its unspoilt nature and beautiful coastal areas. The notorious think global-act local is even more important here.
4) «Experience» tourism. The time has passed when tourism simply meant «sun and sea». Now tourists demand much more, they demand interesting and original experiences accompanied by excellent service, absolute cleanliness, courtesy and reasonable prices. The «Koutofragos» no longer exist.
5) Infrastructure. The time when tourists took 2-3 days to reach their destination is over for the majority of them. They want fast and convenient access, they want safety and consistency, they want good public health services, they want fast internet etc.
After all this, one wonders what I want to say? I answer simply and clearly. Anyone who cares and plans the future of tourism (in Kythera or anywhere else), is obliged to take into account many parameters and seeks to constantly intervene in them in order to improve and adapt them to the new data and the quality requirements of visitors to Kythera. In our case, whoever is chosen by the residents of our islands to manage the fate of the Municipality for the next five years, should not just go to international tourism fairs while making a leisure trip or sharing smiles with everyone. These do not bring visitors... They only maintain the existing flow that does not increase the tourist season and certainly does not increase the income of those who are directly or indirectly involved in tourism.
Both the experience I have gained from my long and successful employment in the tourism sector, and the dedication of my colleagues and my fellow candidates to the very serious case of Tourism of our islands are a guarantee for the major changes that will be implemented immediately, so that the main pillar of our local economy can run quickly and efficiently.
We in the combination «All Together Kythera-Antikythera» have a vision and strategy for tourism on our islands. For us it is not just one of the sectors of municipal activity. It is not lost in the labyrinth of responsibilities of the Mayor and the Municipal Councillors. It takes the first place in the actions that aim to literally lift Kythera and Antikythera.
We will appoint a deputy mayor with the main subject of Tourism! This decision underlines our true interest in this activity and proves how important tourism is for our islands. Together with the tourism professionals we will strive for the effective promotion of Kythera and Antikythera as a truly attractive tourist destination. In our programme we are talking about «Tourism with identity», not «one of everything’
It is clear that the visitor's experience starts from the moment they set foot in the destination. Therefore, expansion of our airport runway, upgrading of the port at Diakofti, operation of excellent building infrastructure at the airport and port, creation/upgrading of marinas, substantial and rapid improvement of the main road network (especially the main axis is in a mildly unacceptable condition, narrow and dangerous with many bends, variable width, no striping, with bumps, potholes and strains in settlements).
The visitor should not have to constantly search the internet when there is water in his area, nor should he have to be told that the dark liquid that comes out of the taps is something «instant» and wait until it «clears»... to use it. Not for drinking, of course, but for washing and bathing. Also the environmentally sensitive visitor, but also every European, American or Australian tourist, would like to see our islands to be highlighted as clean places, “zero waste”, because this is simply a sign of culture. We can do it if we want to and if we organise it. It goes without saying that the visitor wants to have a holiday in an island that respects the environment and cares for its sustainability. So no hidden dumps, no uncontrolled dumping of sewage and rubble, no unprotected forests, no all kinds of rubbish all over the road network, no full bins everywhere and without even a cover, which when it blows the light rubbish is carried tens of metres away.
These of course require integrated planning and actions e.g. integrated water management, long-term infrastructure programme based on the needs and choices of the island and not others. Some people cannot discover the idea of «carrying capacity» as a barrier to tourism development. We must constantly upgrade carrying capacity, this must be the main contribution of the municipality to tourism development. These key pillars are detailed in the specific chapters in our programme
There are also the experiences. Let me share with you my own dream: An island where the breakfast offered in the accommodations is dominated by local, fragrant, organic produce of exceptional quality. The same quality and variety found in all the restaurants. The visitor looking for culinary delights, to be able to convey his enthusiasm and experience to his friends, inviting them to visit this «new discovery».
An island where travel will be easy and parking will not be a matter of luck or nerves of steel. An island that will help those with an electric car to charge it easily. An island that will give options for year-round activities. Yes to church tourism, yes to hiking, diving, bird watchers, those who want to enjoy agritourism, etc. These not as mere suggestions or «wishes», but with concrete measures of support and promotion.
In «All Together» we want strengthen the Municipality's ties with foreigners who chose Kythera to buy or build their homes. We understand that each of them has set aside a large amount of money for the purchase or building of the property and each year they have large sums for its maintenance. These individuals will be treated by our Municipal Authority with tremendous love and care, just as we would treat our residents. We are well aware that every foreign property owner stays in our islands many times longer than any other visitor. He brings his friends, advertises us, participates in our activities, becomes one of us!
As a long-time employee in tourism, I know very well how sensitive this economic activity is and how easily a good reputation can be lost and a negative climate can be created, which then takes a lot of time and effort to become positive again. You need visitors to choose you and then become your own ambassadors. The relationship with them cannot and will not be «formal». Just as we are in love with our islands, we must strive to be so with our visitors. To convince them to devote not only their time and money, but also their hearts. Only then will we truly win.
It is no coincidence that John Steinbeck, Nobel Prize-winning American writer, said:
«Many journeys continue long after movement in time and space has stopped.».
How right he is!!!! When we have succeeded in getting people to continue to talk enthusiastically about us long after we have been gone, then our goals will have truly been achieved. Then our islands will not have become just another destination, but the precious diamond that those who can appreciate it will have fallen in love with it and preserve it as a precious legacy with the ultimate beneficiaries being the residents of our islands.
Just when I was beginning to feel a sympathy for the ALL TOGETHER combination, two three events and announcements of the combination make me think. The first was a photo of the pioneers of the combination with people who have become like professional politicians who change their party according to their interests.
In their previous announcements I was going through the fun ( my mistake). But this announcement made me wonder if what I am reading is written by people who care about the island or is written directly from the press offices of the SW SYRIZA-PS AND PASOK.
In more detail
1) climate change. Seriously;; we blame nature and not the untimely staffing and preparation of the fire service ( recruitment , vehicles , plan)
2) Accuracy. Mykonos, which they cite as an example, has always been an expensive island What they don't mention is that incomes have shrunk so much that dakopas for the Greek and many European citizens is becoming an unbelievable dream.
3) Tourists. Think globally - act locally. But not for two or three months.And what are interesting experiences when we have devalued every historical element of the island?. When the primary sector, which could offer relatively cheap and quality products, has hit the skids. And what are these health services when the Kythera Health Department is understaffed?;
You appoint a deputy mayor of tourism - I would like to think that he has other responsibilities -
Dopey products . When you make no mention of nuts and how they can get a PDO designation. The primary production of wheat and by extension a mill for milling, the slaughterhouse that every party remembers during the election and is not there to push every day.
And finally to the beloved foreigners and I do not put in them Albanian origin. They came and with their sweat and despite the exploitation by the Cypriots we built houses, families, became part of the place. I'm referring to the others who came here as investors with the sole purpose of profit.
All of this puts me on the negative side and thinking that you really do NOT care about this site.