Vangelis Katsaras, the deputy mayor of Tourism of Naxos & Small Cyclades, sends optimistic messages for the new tourist year through Tornos News. However, he also expresses his concerns about the implementation of the digital card in the island’s tourist businesses.
From the position of president of the island’s hoteliers, Mr. Katsaras emphasizes that the messages for the new tourist year are very positive for Naxos. Of course, he is anxious about the outcome of events in Santorini and his wish is for a smooth development. In any case, the presence of representatives of Naxos at the ITB exhibition in Berlin will be crucial for the accurate mapping of the new year’s data.
The burden of the digital card on small accommodations
Mr. Katsaras emphasizes the new digital card, which will be implemented in the tourism sector from March 1. As he explains, this is a development that will severely burden small and medium-sized businesses and small accommodations, since they will be forced to have a person who will spend overtime in the system, etc.
In addition to the financial loss, for those who choose not to have a specialized employee in the business, there is a risk of a decrease in the quality of services of a unit, when the existing members are charged with an additional occupation.
Finally, Mr. Katsaras, responding to the anxieties of the people, if there is a problem with the water supply on the island, notes in Tornos News, that there is no such risk since last year and this year there is provision for desalination, etc. Last year it is characteristic that the water supply from desalination and drilling reached 3,800 daily, something that will continue this year as well, he added.
“Naxos closed 2024 with a new record of coastal ferry arrivals for the period April-October and with individual increases in the months of May, June, August, and September, while the course of air arrivals was also impressive with an increase of approximately 29% compared to 2023, reaching a new historical high.”
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
