Meropi Ydraiou meets with Deputy Minister for Tourism

Mr. Konsolas is in Corfu for two days and will be holding a series of meetings.

He was accompanied at today's meeting by Tourism Ministry Secretary Stavroula Miliakou and present on behalf of the Municipality were Council President Dimitris Metallinos, Deputy Mayor for Tourism Panos Varochas and Deputy Mayor for Culture Chrysoula Tombrou. Corfu ND MP Stefanos Gikas was also present.

The Mayor thanked Mr. Konsolas for his visit and his interest in Corfu. Ms. Ydraiou said, "We will be discussing the development of sustainable tourism with the Minister and the organisation of targetted actions in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism."

She added, "We want new tourism education facilities on the island and have declared out intention to work closely with the Ministry in this regard - we have offered Municipal property to be used to accommodate education facilities. Schools of tourism offer extra value to Corfu."

Mr. Konsolas said he was happy to be in Corfu and thanked the Mayor for the premises the Municipality has offered to accommodate the School of Tourist Guides temporarily. He said that the Ministry aims to "upgrade the Schools of Tourist Guides on a national level and is working towards upgrading tourism education at all levels."

He concluded by congratulating the Mayor for her efforts in helping to get the School of Tourist Guides in Corfu off the ground and said that the Ministry has prepared a recovery plan which will provide support for workers and tourism professionals.