Open letter from tour guides regarding Ministry of Tourism draft bill

In an open letter, the Ionian Islands and Western Greece Union of Certified Tour Guides refer to the risk of downgrading the tour guide profession in the draft bill submitted for public consultation by the Ministry of Tourism for the amendment of the law regulating the profession of tour guide and the activity of guiding in general.

They also highlight the critical issue of infrastructure, particularly the condition of our road network, following the subsidence of a section of the Paleokastritsa-Lakones road and the prohibition of its use by heavy vehicles.

The open letter:

"The Ionian Islands and Western Greece Union of Certified Tour Guides has over 80 tour guides in its ranks, who guide at least 360,000 visitors on our island every tourist season. In archaeological and historical sites, the historical centre of the town, traditional communities, places of natural beauty, workshops with local products and traditional crafts, cultural and religious places, the guides passionately and with great interest present the cultural heritage and contemporary culture of Corfu to the visitors, embodying the Greek culture of hospitality.

At this time, tour guides across the country are distressed, as the Ministry of Tourism is bringing to Parliament a draft bill that essentially hands over all this cultural heritage and its presentation to our foreign visitors into the hands of anyone uncertified, untrained, and without obligation to any professional ethics. If this legislative reform proceeds as it is, the existence of the tour guide profession, which for decades has borne the burden of creating and supporting the image of our country's destination, especially in tourist areas, is at risk.

However, another issue is also emerging, which has concerned guides for years, as well as those working in the tour sector in general. This issue pertains to the island’s infrastructure, particularly the condition of our road network, especially on routes heavily used by many heavy vehicles, such as trucks and tourist or local buses.

This issue has come to the forefront again with the subsidence of a section of the Paleokastritsa-Lakones road and the prohibition of its use by heavy vehicles.

Since this matter concerns the management of the flow of tourists, the daily lives of residents, but above all the safety and protection of the lives and integrity of thousands of workers and visitors, we call on local government authorities and any other responsible body to pay special attention and create a comprehensive study plan of the road network and restore potentially dangerous points and areas so that workers can feel the necessary safety during tours, and to ensure the protection of visitors and the image of Corfu as a destination."