In the context of SETE’s actions to strengthen the voice of Greek tourism in Brussels, Association President Yannis Retsos participated in an event organized in Athens by Deklan Costello, Head of the European Commission Greece, entitled “ECFIN Seminar for Journalist from Euro Area Countries”.
During his speech, Mr. Retsos, referred to the conditions that need to be met in order to keep Greek tourism in full development during coming years as well as to support investment activity.
These conditions are summarized in the preservation of economic and political stability, the creation of a realistic and stable fiscal framework, the operation of a flexible financial system, the establishment of a national spatial framework and the assurance of legal certainty.
According to Mr Retsos, Greece has the worst regime in terms of taxes on investment and business operations. As he noted, “there is a need for a realistic investment and competitiveness framework that will remain stable over a decade.”
At the same time, he added that the increased tax burden on the tourist package has downgraded 50% of the competitiveness gains resulting from the internal depreciation created by the Greek adaptation programs.
The SETE chairman also referred to the demand of the tourist world to speed up the completion of the national land development plan for tourism, as well as to ensure legal certainty.
As he stressed, “what investors are worried about is that they do not know what they can plan and where and wheteher their investment can be canceled or delayed for a long time by the various government agencies.”
He also stressed the need for a flexible financial system capable of delivering the required liquidity along with financial solutions and tools to sound business plans that have the potential to create added value and jobs.
SETE president pointed out the need to preserve the momentum of the tourism sector in the coming years, with quantitative and qualitative criteria, in particular, towards further diffusion of benefits among local Regions and during more months in the year, the improvement of the average per capita cost, length of residence and employment aid.
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
