Zacharias Souris, candidate for mayor of Kythira and Antikythira, responds to the questionnaire from the Kythira Island Tourist Accommodations Association “Cerigo” in a letter addressed to its President, Ms. Vanessa Raikou.
Response from the coalition to the questionnaire from the “Cerigo” Association of Tourist Accommodations on the Island of Kythira”
Kythera, Tuesday 03 October 2023
To: Ms. Vanessa Raikou, President of the “Cerigo” Association of Tourist Accommodations on the Island of Kythira.
Dear Madam President,
First of all, First of all, I would like to express my warmest thanks for your initiative in sending me your letter dated September 19, in which you pose specific questions regarding the infrastructure and tourism developmenton Kythira as well as Antikythira (I would add), so that both islands may break free from mediocrity, haphazardness, a lack of planning and prioritization of projects, and uncontrolled development. I don’t think I need to remind you that the projects carried out over the past nine years show absolutely no prioritization of our region’s needs. Classic examples include the near-total neglect of the main street, as well as the indifference toward ensuring an adequate supply of high-quality water—with all that this entails for our tourism industry.
In response to your very interesting questions, I would first like to refer you to our coalition’s website, specifically to the Policy Framework, so that you can learn about the guidelinesI will follow if our fellow citizens place their trust in me and elect me as the next Mayor of Kythira-Antikythira. There you will find that all the general principles of my policy address your questions and concerns regarding the future of Kythira-Antikythira, although I fully understand the priorities you raise, which concern only Kythira, since you are active on our island.
Starting with the first section of your questions regarding transportation, I would like to respond that, although a number of issues fall outside the Municipality’s jurisdiction, I can assure you that—provided I am elected——we will expedite the bidding process for the study on the airport runway extension and take all necessary steps to pressure the State and the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), in particular, to fund this. (The possibility of inclusion in the Recovery and Resilience Fund is also being considered.)
I will launch a major campaign to increase flight schedules and restore them at least to the level they were at before 2014, with daily flights between Kythira and Athens, as well as direct flights to Thessaloniki during the summer months.
A study on the creation of a waterway will be commissioned immediately so that we can take advantage of this solution as well, which can only benefit Kythira.
It is not easy to establish a ferry connection between Kythira-Milos ferry route because it depends on the initiatives of the Ministry of Shipping and the funds it is able to allocate for the establishment of such a route. Without approval for an unprofitable route, no shipowner will risk operating a ferry between Kythira and Milos.
Common sense dictates that the main north-south road must be improved immediately. Its condition is, to put it mildly, unacceptable. Even today, it continues to serve the needs of the 1980s, while we are now in 2023. Widening and realignment at certain points are part of the Plan and will be implemented at a rapid pace. We will also place great emphasis on cleanliness everywhere, including the streets. We will implement a pilot program to place trash bins underground in tourist towns (Kapsali, Chora, Agia Pelagia, Avlaimonas, Diakofti). Other large settlements will follow in a second phase. Unfortunately, today it feels as if we are living in a Third World country.
Bike paths will attract a different kind of welcome tourism, and that is why I am ready to build them.
There are many problems at the port of Diakofto (the canteen, shipwrecked migrant boats, completion of the asphalt paving, reinforcing the bridge’s structural integrity, tree planting on Makrykythira, etc.). However, despite the multitude of problems, I am determined to provide solutions—and definitive ones at that, without any «quick fixes.».
I saved the issue of public transportation for last because it is complex. We are committed to operating an internal transit system along the main corridor, initially during the summer months with a subsidy from the municipality, and we will consider expanding the model on an annual basis.
Regarding the second section of your questions, I must emphasize that the Local Property Commission will reopen the Agia Sophia Cave immediately after it receives the necessary permit.
Substantial improvements to the road network will increase accessibility to other attractions on the island, and for this reason they will be implemented as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, the legal framework governing store operations does not allow the municipality to require them to stay open longer. We will issue recommendations and suggestions, but this cannot guarantee that store owners will comply.
A major effort will be made to regain the two Blue Flags lost in recent years at Kapsali and Lagkada in Agia Pelagia, and to increase their number while simultaneously expanding infrastructure at all beaches.
The loss of the Neraida Waterfall is certainly enormous. The water was not lost solely due to reduced rainfall, but mainly because overpumping from the wells may be affecting the aquifer that fed the waterfall, with the well-known unpleasant consequences for Neraida. What I can commit to is that we will make use of every proposal from the general water supply master plan and will consult with scientists on targeted interventions that will restore normal conditions to the beautiful Mylopotamos ravine.
Regarding Section C, “Issues Related to Smooth Operation,” I would like to note the following:
There is already a Building Code for Chora, and I intend to have a similar code passed for other tourist settlements, such as Kapsali, Agia Pelagia, Diakofti, and Avlaimonas. This, of course, is contingent upon the Decentralized Administration’s approval of the regulations.
A noteworthy study on the tourism development of Kythira was already conducted in 2012–13, which I reviewed as a member of the Tourism Committee at the time. It will certainly need to be updated, but the most important thing is to implement it—which we will do without delay. My goal is to extend the tourist season—not just in words but in practice—by highlighting all the advantages of Kythiraand Antikythira, while also taking into account the effects of climate change, which will gradually impact the summer season due to very high temperatures. We must create a gentle and sustainable tourism product for the spring and fall seasons, by capitalizing on alternative forms of tourism, and I am committed to working together toward this goal.
As for infrastructure and water, I won’t repeat what I’ve written above. After all, these issues are so fundamental and urgent that no one can ignore them. I will note, however, that prudent people cook before they get hungry. I’ll leave it at that regarding the desalination plants. The first desalination plant began operating in early August, instead of already being in operation along with at least the other two since 2021.
The Kapsali campground is not currently open because its operating license, which was issued in 2009, has expired, and as far as I know, the Committee is taking steps to obtain a new license. So it’s a given that the Local Property Committee will reopen it immediately.
I saved the work of the Tourism Committee for last because it is particularly important for tourism on our islands and for setting the direction and goals of the municipality’s tourism policy. For the past nine years, there has essentially been no Tourism Committee. Everything was concentrated in the hands of a single person—the mayor. We will fully revitalize its operations through public, open meetings, by commissioning market research when necessary, and by appointing a Deputy Mayor with actual responsibility for tourism, who will chair the Committee. We will not follow the approach of Mr. Kominos, who is currently in charge of tourism and who has done absolutely nothing. Sloppy work and leisure trips to trade shows that will not yield concrete results will NOT be taking place.
In closing, I would like to note that it is not possible for me to provide specific timelines for the implementation of the projects and specific actions, but I can assure you that I will move very quickly to ensure that, within the first year of my term, there are tangible results in all areas. We will not follow Mr. Charchalakis’s approach. The pace will be completely different—fast and effective.
Beyond that, I am available to any organization to discuss serious issues related to the future of our region, especially with your organization, which has a direct interest in the further development of tourism.
Sincerely,
Zacharias Souris
