Crete’s tourism institutions express deep concern and anxiety about the dimensions that uncontrolled migration flows are taking on the island, against the backdrop of the increasing arrivals of migrants by sea in recent days.
In their letter to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister of Immigration and Asylum Athanasios Plevris, Crete’s largest tourism and professional institutions are sounding the alarm, speaking of “chaotic images” that are not only damaging the island’s international image as a safe and attractive tourist destination, but are already starting to have tangible economic consequences.
“Crete is threatened with becoming a new channel for migration flows, and this is already having serious consequences for tourism and the local economy,” the representatives of hoteliers, travel agents, hotel managers, and other sectors directly linked to the heavy tourism industry emphasize in their letter.
Concerns and cancellations
The organizations complain that images of mass disembarkations of migrants on Crete’s beaches are making the rounds of the world through international media, causing concern among foreign tourist agencies and visitors. “We are receiving messages and letters from cooperating tourist agencies expressing concern about the situation, while there have already been cancellations of reservations and a slowdown in the pace of new arrivals,” they report characteristically.
The consequences, they warn, are not only short-term but also endanger the long-term reputation and economic stability of the island, which largely supports its prosperity in tourism.
Categorical refusal in closed structures
Of particular concern is the fact that, as noted in the letter, the creation of closed structures to accommodate immigrants in Crete has begun to be openly discussed. The organizations are categorical: “We are categorically opposed to any initiative that transforms Crete into a place for receiving and settling immigrants. This would be disastrous for tourism, social cohesion and the environment of the island.”
At the same time, they denounce the “lack of planning and timely prevention,” which has led, as they say, to the current critical situation.
Three key requests to the State
The tourism stakeholders are asking the State to take immediate measures and are submitting three clear requests:
Immediate decongestion of the island by transferring the arriving immigrants to organized structures in mainland Greece.
Suspension of any plan to create closed or open migrant accommodation structures in Crete.
Strengthening the guarding of sea borders to prevent new arrivals.
“We all have a duty, State and local society, to protect tourism, the environment and social cohesion of Crete,” the organizations emphasize, calling on the government to reconsider its decisions based on the interests of the place and the national economy.
Who are the signatories of the appeal
The joint letter is signed by:
Crete Hoteliers’ Federation
(Hoteliers’ Associations of Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Sitia, Ierapetra, Agios Nikolaos)
Crete Tourist & Travel Agency Association
Panhellenic Federation of Hotel Managers
Pancretan Association of Hotel Managers
Panhellenic Federation of Car & Bike Rental Agencies
”Iniochos” Car & Bike Rental Association
East Crete Tourist Accommodation Federation
Rethymno Tourist Accommodation Federation
Crete Tourist Bus Owners’ Association
Crete, they emphasize, cannot bear another burden, especially at a time when the tourism industry is at stake its identity, the basic source of life for thousands of families and businesses.
