PM to announce plans for restart of tourism, economy and employment on Wednesday
Greek PM
19 May 2020
/ 10:46
ATHENS. Opening of borders to mark the start of the tourist season, VAT reductions for catering and transport sectors and subsidies for employees are some of the measures Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to announce tomorrow.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will announce the Government's plans for the economy, employment and tourism tomorrow, Wednesday 20 May. He will speak in the evening and immediately following his announcement details will be presented by the relevant Ministers.
According to available information, Mr. Mitsotakis is leaning towards the opening of the country's borders to all EU countries and Schengen countries as well as to Israel on 1 July at the latest and possibly from 15 June.
The Prime Minister's announcements will mark the start of this year's tourist season and reveal the Government's measures to restart and support the sector.
Some of the country's large hotel groups with seasonal hotels are ready to open some of their properties as soon as the government finalises the operational protocol for protection against COVID-19. Year-round hotels will be opening on 1 June, including Asteras Vouliagmeni.
Many hoteliers, both with year-round and seasonal properties, are waiting to first find out what support measures will be announced by the government and then calculate the demand based on the opening up dates for travel before coming to their final decision.
With the government ready to allow seasonal hotels to open even before 1 July and some international flights restarting gradually from next week with the aim of opening up travel within the Schengen Zone completely by the end of June, it is estimated that a significant number of large hotel units will be able to guarantee some occupancy. Moreover, with measures to support the sector expected to be announced in the the coming days, there will be a clearer picture regarding business performance.
Regarding measures for the economy, the government plan includes a series of 'targetted' measures to be implemented shortly - beginning with the start of the tourist season on 1 June - along with horizontal measures to support development which will be implemented from the new year.
The immediate targetted measures are expected to include VAT reduction for catering and transport, subsidies for employees who will have to work less hours, financial 'compensation' for owners who had a reduction in income due to mandatory rent reduction, subsidies based on criteria for borrowers for 6 to 9 months and a reduction in prepaid tax for businesses hit by coronavirus.
In addition to the 'targetted' measures, permanent measures are also being planned which will be implemented either in the immediate future or during 2021. Amongst these is reduction in insurance contributions from employers and employees as a main priority is development and the reduction of the unemployment rate.
Source: Kathimerini.gr
According to available information, Mr. Mitsotakis is leaning towards the opening of the country's borders to all EU countries and Schengen countries as well as to Israel on 1 July at the latest and possibly from 15 June.
The Prime Minister's announcements will mark the start of this year's tourist season and reveal the Government's measures to restart and support the sector.
Some of the country's large hotel groups with seasonal hotels are ready to open some of their properties as soon as the government finalises the operational protocol for protection against COVID-19. Year-round hotels will be opening on 1 June, including Asteras Vouliagmeni.
Many hoteliers, both with year-round and seasonal properties, are waiting to first find out what support measures will be announced by the government and then calculate the demand based on the opening up dates for travel before coming to their final decision.
With the government ready to allow seasonal hotels to open even before 1 July and some international flights restarting gradually from next week with the aim of opening up travel within the Schengen Zone completely by the end of June, it is estimated that a significant number of large hotel units will be able to guarantee some occupancy. Moreover, with measures to support the sector expected to be announced in the the coming days, there will be a clearer picture regarding business performance.
Regarding measures for the economy, the government plan includes a series of 'targetted' measures to be implemented shortly - beginning with the start of the tourist season on 1 June - along with horizontal measures to support development which will be implemented from the new year.
The immediate targetted measures are expected to include VAT reduction for catering and transport, subsidies for employees who will have to work less hours, financial 'compensation' for owners who had a reduction in income due to mandatory rent reduction, subsidies based on criteria for borrowers for 6 to 9 months and a reduction in prepaid tax for businesses hit by coronavirus.
In addition to the 'targetted' measures, permanent measures are also being planned which will be implemented either in the immediate future or during 2021. Amongst these is reduction in insurance contributions from employers and employees as a main priority is development and the reduction of the unemployment rate.
Source: Kathimerini.gr
