Ydraiou tells Ministries:"Give support to Corfu and its tourist businesses"

The Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Meropi Ydraiou sent a letter yesterday to Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and his Deputy Apostolos Vesiropoulos as well as to the Tourism Minister and Deputy Haris Theoharis and Manos Konsolas requesting that immediate measures be taken to support Corfu businesses which have been impacted by the collapse of Thomas Cook.

Ms. Ydraiou said that Corfu businesses have been left with thousands of Euros unpaid whilst still having to pay VAT and other obligations for which they haven't been paid. They will also not be paid their contract commissions by the bankrupt company.

She also points out that the inability to deal with the problem will have a negative impact on tourism and employment and requests the Ministry of Finance to consider measures such as:

- No obligation to pay VAT for income which it can be proved they haven't received.

- An extension of at least six months for the payment of tax and insurance dues.

At the same time the Mayor is requesting the Ministry of Tourism to plan a new campaign to promote Corfu, which, in addition to the collapse of Thomas Cook, has had a negative image abroad in the last two years due to the refuse problem.