Deputy Minister for Tourism announces new Tourist Guide School in Corfu
tourism
23 Oct 2019
/ 12:38
CORFU. Mayor Meropi Ydraiou said that the meeting with Deputy Minister for Tourism Manos Konsolas at the Old Town Hall was very constructive.
The following also took part in the meeting: Ministry of Tourism General Secretary Mr. Loulis, GNTO President Angela Gerekou, GNTO advisor Mr. Tassiopoulos, Central Corfu Municipal Council President Dimitris Metallinos, the Deputy Mayors for Technical Works Nikos Kalogeros, Economy Giorgos Pantelios, Tourism Panos Varouchas, Social Welfare Andreas Skoupouras, Quality of Life and Everyday Life Theoharis Yiotis, Mathraki Mimis Katehis, Councillor for Erikoussa Alexandros Katehis, Councillor Vassilis Melidis and others.
Corfu MP Stefanos Gikas was also present along with the former Mayor for Parelion Mr. Krokidis, Deputy Regional Governor Melita Andrioti, Regional Council President Mr. Mouzakitis and other Deputy Regional Governors.
The licensing of the harbours at Benitses and Alipa was discussed and the speeding up of the procedure with the Deputy Minister promising Ms. Ydraiou that he would proceed immediately with the licensing of these key Corfu tourist locations.
Ms. Ydraiou said that the new local authority was determined to speed things up in order to cover lost ground with the necessary fire safety and waste management studies for the licences to be granted.
The Mayor stressed the need for serious repairs and modernisation at the Achillion Palace - an important iconic landmark in Greece and the Mediterranean.
She also talked about the impact of the Thomas Cook bankruptcy on the island's tourism and requested that extra measures be taken to support workers and businesses. The example of what happened with Thomas Cook, she said, shows that the present form of tourist development is showing signs of exhaustion and vulnerability indicating that a new strategy is required to diversify our tourist product with investment in quality.
Mr. Konsolas announced that a Tourist Guide School will open in Corfu next year and said that the Government intended to integrate Corfu in the tourist education programme in the new reorganisation. The Mayor promised to provide premises for the new tourist training facilities, which has been a longtime request from the local authority and tourism professionals - the Deputy Minister accepted her offer.
The prospects of Corfu becoming a top home port for cruises was also discussed.
Ms. Ydraiou told the Deputy Minister that the Municipality, in collaboration with tourism organisations and professionals, was proceeding with the establishment of a Destination Management Organisation. She also brought up the subject of adopting a Municipal tourism and cultural tax for receipts from archaeological sites, monuments, the airport and the port.
The Deputy Minister replied that he considered this to be a just request and would give his support to this important matter.
Corfu MP Stefanos Gikas was also present along with the former Mayor for Parelion Mr. Krokidis, Deputy Regional Governor Melita Andrioti, Regional Council President Mr. Mouzakitis and other Deputy Regional Governors.
The licensing of the harbours at Benitses and Alipa was discussed and the speeding up of the procedure with the Deputy Minister promising Ms. Ydraiou that he would proceed immediately with the licensing of these key Corfu tourist locations.
Ms. Ydraiou said that the new local authority was determined to speed things up in order to cover lost ground with the necessary fire safety and waste management studies for the licences to be granted.
The Mayor stressed the need for serious repairs and modernisation at the Achillion Palace - an important iconic landmark in Greece and the Mediterranean.
She also talked about the impact of the Thomas Cook bankruptcy on the island's tourism and requested that extra measures be taken to support workers and businesses. The example of what happened with Thomas Cook, she said, shows that the present form of tourist development is showing signs of exhaustion and vulnerability indicating that a new strategy is required to diversify our tourist product with investment in quality.
Mr. Konsolas announced that a Tourist Guide School will open in Corfu next year and said that the Government intended to integrate Corfu in the tourist education programme in the new reorganisation. The Mayor promised to provide premises for the new tourist training facilities, which has been a longtime request from the local authority and tourism professionals - the Deputy Minister accepted her offer.
The prospects of Corfu becoming a top home port for cruises was also discussed.
Ms. Ydraiou told the Deputy Minister that the Municipality, in collaboration with tourism organisations and professionals, was proceeding with the establishment of a Destination Management Organisation. She also brought up the subject of adopting a Municipal tourism and cultural tax for receipts from archaeological sites, monuments, the airport and the port.
The Deputy Minister replied that he considered this to be a just request and would give his support to this important matter.
