The GNTO Employees Association is calling for the reinstatement of the Inspection Directorate at the GNTO after the incident involving the drowning of a 5-year-old child in a hotel pool in Santorini last Thursday. The Association’s announcement in detail:
“The Association of Employees of the Hellenic Tourism Organization denounces the political leadership of the Ministry of Tourism for the complete absence of substantial state control in the tourist accommodation sector, a fact that was reflected in the most tragic way in the incident at a tourist accommodation in Santorini the day before yesterday.
Since 2014, with the abolition of the certification of tourist accommodation and the dissolution of the GNTO Inspection Directorate, the responsibilities of control have gradually passed to private individuals, with the result that there is no longer any substantial, institutional, state control in the most critical sector of the Greek economy, tourism.
As an Association, we have repeatedly and urgently requested the return of control responsibilities to the Hellenic Tourism Organization, the only public body that had the exclusive responsibility of certifying tourist accommodation in the country since the year 2008 with consistency, responsibility and professionalism.
The inaction of the State allows every entrepreneur to operate uncontrollably, “as they please”, without respect for rules, specifications and, above all, the safety of visitors and employees.
We demand:
** The reinstatement of the Inspection Directorate at the Greek National Tourism Organization.
** The institutionalization and implementation of mandatory certification of all tourist accommodations by a public body.
** The strengthening of the state’s control mechanisms in the tourism sector.
Tourism cannot operate without supervision. The protection of public security and the country’s international image is non-negotiable.”
