Tourist coach owners: "The airport, port and Municipality don΄t care"
tourism
25 Aug 2020
/ 12:21
CORFU. There was a broad-ranging discussion at the meeting called by the Tourist Coach Owners Association on Thursday 20 August with the participation of a large number of commercial and tourist bodies.
Along with the problems the sector is facing due to the pandemic the discussion also covered the general cooperation amongst tourist professionals and bodies especially at a time when solutions are being sought for the island's tourism problems. "One would have thought that since we don't have work this year, we would spend some time getting our affairs in order, but unfortunately...." said the Association.
In a statement issued following Thursday's meeting the Association reiterates the problems of cooperation it has with the airport, the Port Authority, the licences for the open-topped buses and the services of the Central Corfu Municipality.
Airport
The Association said, "At the airport the first impression the visitor has does not reflect well on the island's tourist product. Instead of tourists being received in a dignified way, we can see the meet and greet staff from the tourist companies out on the road amongst the vehicles, in the hot sun trying to identify their customers. What happens if there is a downpour? It is a shame that after the wonderful refurbishment of the airport, as the Prime Minister himself said, there isn't a small area of 5 sq.m. or so where visitors can be properly met as was the case before!
What can we say about the coach waiting area? They prefer to close off the area with chains even though it creates chaos at peak times and this in a tourist season when there isn't any real work."
Port
"Things aren't any better at the port. The arrogance of the previous administration still exists. We have requested office space so that our colleagues and others involved with cruises can have a respectable presence and avoid the touting for customers from the usual slick merchants under the noses of the authorities. The Port Authority administration blatantly ignores us as if they are dealing with their own personal property."
Licences for the open-topped buses
Regarding the open-topped tour buses, the Association said, "We wonder if this is what the Government wants and has asked for or if it is the usual Corfu 'bosses', old and new, who have thrown Corfu into the abyss, exploiting the well-known silence and tolerance that exists in Corfu. They are the basic reason for Corfu being in the terrible situation it is in with businesses from Mantouki to the town centre sighing in frustration, as decisions are shared between the state Port Authority and simple Municipal Council decisions (as was the case with the provision of a base for the open-topped buses), assisting with their obtaining licences which has been proved to have created major problems in the town and for the Corfu economy - with there being 20 in Corfu, 'by chance', whereas in other similar parts of the country there are just 2. Ignoring the written recommendations of higher authorities which 'calls for the restoration of legality and adherence to proper procedures'."
Meeting to discuss cruises
Continuing with its comments about the port, the Association observes, "Due to the fact that we have filed lawsuits regarding the above, we were 'punished' by not being invited to this week's meeting with updates for the various organisations involved regarding the resumption of cruise visits. As if we aren't going to be the ones transporting the customers! Is the Government and the responsible Ministry aware of these outrageous actions of Corfu Port Authority?"
Municipal services
The sector also has problems with its collaboration with the Municipality. "We also remain disappointed with the Central Corfu Municipality. So much time has passed since the new authority took control and they still have found the time to rectify the illegalities of its employees who, while the previous authority was in office, signed papers one day and then corrected them the following day, didn't know what they were doing, meant one thing and wrote another etc.
"We have been waiting for the Municipal legal department to respond to these services and the Municipality, in turn, to respond to us since 27 December, 2019 regarding the out-of-court complaint we lodged in November. Shame! Our island deserves better than this!"
In conclusion, the Association states, "Following all we have told you we would like to remind you that since our establishment we have been used to fighting and we will continue to do so until everyone understands that they must do their job properly - nothing more. This will then be the starting point for the island to function properly, with everyone doing their job and the continuous downward trend of the island will be halted."
In a statement issued following Thursday's meeting the Association reiterates the problems of cooperation it has with the airport, the Port Authority, the licences for the open-topped buses and the services of the Central Corfu Municipality.
Airport
The Association said, "At the airport the first impression the visitor has does not reflect well on the island's tourist product. Instead of tourists being received in a dignified way, we can see the meet and greet staff from the tourist companies out on the road amongst the vehicles, in the hot sun trying to identify their customers. What happens if there is a downpour? It is a shame that after the wonderful refurbishment of the airport, as the Prime Minister himself said, there isn't a small area of 5 sq.m. or so where visitors can be properly met as was the case before!
What can we say about the coach waiting area? They prefer to close off the area with chains even though it creates chaos at peak times and this in a tourist season when there isn't any real work."
Port
"Things aren't any better at the port. The arrogance of the previous administration still exists. We have requested office space so that our colleagues and others involved with cruises can have a respectable presence and avoid the touting for customers from the usual slick merchants under the noses of the authorities. The Port Authority administration blatantly ignores us as if they are dealing with their own personal property."
Licences for the open-topped buses
Regarding the open-topped tour buses, the Association said, "We wonder if this is what the Government wants and has asked for or if it is the usual Corfu 'bosses', old and new, who have thrown Corfu into the abyss, exploiting the well-known silence and tolerance that exists in Corfu. They are the basic reason for Corfu being in the terrible situation it is in with businesses from Mantouki to the town centre sighing in frustration, as decisions are shared between the state Port Authority and simple Municipal Council decisions (as was the case with the provision of a base for the open-topped buses), assisting with their obtaining licences which has been proved to have created major problems in the town and for the Corfu economy - with there being 20 in Corfu, 'by chance', whereas in other similar parts of the country there are just 2. Ignoring the written recommendations of higher authorities which 'calls for the restoration of legality and adherence to proper procedures'."
Meeting to discuss cruises
Continuing with its comments about the port, the Association observes, "Due to the fact that we have filed lawsuits regarding the above, we were 'punished' by not being invited to this week's meeting with updates for the various organisations involved regarding the resumption of cruise visits. As if we aren't going to be the ones transporting the customers! Is the Government and the responsible Ministry aware of these outrageous actions of Corfu Port Authority?"
Municipal services
The sector also has problems with its collaboration with the Municipality. "We also remain disappointed with the Central Corfu Municipality. So much time has passed since the new authority took control and they still have found the time to rectify the illegalities of its employees who, while the previous authority was in office, signed papers one day and then corrected them the following day, didn't know what they were doing, meant one thing and wrote another etc.
"We have been waiting for the Municipal legal department to respond to these services and the Municipality, in turn, to respond to us since 27 December, 2019 regarding the out-of-court complaint we lodged in November. Shame! Our island deserves better than this!"
In conclusion, the Association states, "Following all we have told you we would like to remind you that since our establishment we have been used to fighting and we will continue to do so until everyone understands that they must do their job properly - nothing more. This will then be the starting point for the island to function properly, with everyone doing their job and the continuous downward trend of the island will be halted."
