Union of Tourist Guides: Do we want vistors to take away memories of traffic jams and rubbish?
tourist guides
19 Jul 2019
/ 08:21
CORFU. The Western Greece & Ionian Islands Union of Tourist Guides has issued a statement highlighting the infrastructure problems that threaten the island΄s tourist economy.
The Union is demanding answers from the authorities and highlights traffic, rubbish and begging as the being main problems creating a negative image. "We don't need promotion and advertising, we need proper infrastructure...immediately."
In its statement the Union says, "Having successfully (?) reached the middle of this year's tourist season and following the chaos both professionals and members of the public had to face last Tuesday, the Western Greece & Ionian Islands Union of Tourist Guides is calling on the Municipality, Regional Administration, Traffic Police and other authorities to finally tackle the problems here before it is too late for the local (mainly tourist) economy.
Unfortunately, traffic is not the only problem. Nevertheless, following the recent downpour we would like to ask the following:
- Where was the traffic police? Not one of the dozens of guides that were in or around the town on that day saw a policeman.
- What has happened with the much-discussed car parks on the outskirts of the town? Easter is not the only period when there is traffic congestion on the island.
- When will the traffic lights at the Tzavros junction finally be fixed? As things are everyone's life is in danger. Are they waiting for a fatal accident before they do anything?
The image which visitors to the island last Tuesday, and on other days, will have retained and passed on to others back home is one of traffic congestion and RUBBISH. Rubbish everywhere. Our Union demands an official statement from the relevant authorities regarding the tragic situation in which we find ourselves and what will happen for the rest of the season. Burying your head in the sand has never been a solution.
And finally - What can be done about the beggars? We know that with the latest legislation begging is no longer a misdemeanour but something needs to be done about all the dirty, hungry young people wandering the streets holding other children or even days-old babies! Even the term 'third-world' is flattering. Can the social welfare services not do something? We're talking about neglect and abuse of minors.
In conclusion, we ask all those in authority to finally get the following into their heads: We don't need promotion and advertising, we need proper infrastructure...right away."
Magda Kousouni - President
Sophia Dari - Secretary
In its statement the Union says, "Having successfully (?) reached the middle of this year's tourist season and following the chaos both professionals and members of the public had to face last Tuesday, the Western Greece & Ionian Islands Union of Tourist Guides is calling on the Municipality, Regional Administration, Traffic Police and other authorities to finally tackle the problems here before it is too late for the local (mainly tourist) economy.
Unfortunately, traffic is not the only problem. Nevertheless, following the recent downpour we would like to ask the following:
- Where was the traffic police? Not one of the dozens of guides that were in or around the town on that day saw a policeman.
- What has happened with the much-discussed car parks on the outskirts of the town? Easter is not the only period when there is traffic congestion on the island.
- When will the traffic lights at the Tzavros junction finally be fixed? As things are everyone's life is in danger. Are they waiting for a fatal accident before they do anything?
The image which visitors to the island last Tuesday, and on other days, will have retained and passed on to others back home is one of traffic congestion and RUBBISH. Rubbish everywhere. Our Union demands an official statement from the relevant authorities regarding the tragic situation in which we find ourselves and what will happen for the rest of the season. Burying your head in the sand has never been a solution.
And finally - What can be done about the beggars? We know that with the latest legislation begging is no longer a misdemeanour but something needs to be done about all the dirty, hungry young people wandering the streets holding other children or even days-old babies! Even the term 'third-world' is flattering. Can the social welfare services not do something? We're talking about neglect and abuse of minors.
In conclusion, we ask all those in authority to finally get the following into their heads: We don't need promotion and advertising, we need proper infrastructure...right away."
Magda Kousouni - President
Sophia Dari - Secretary
