Remove immigration centres from tourist spots: Greek tourist operators

Greece’s largest tourism confederation SETE, representing over 50,000 businesses has pleaded with the Greek government, requesting that it reconsiders its plans to construct refugee registration centres also known as ‘hotspots’, at major tourist locations across the country.

The move comes as tourist destinations such as Lesvos have seen a major decline in tourism revenue after been caught in the refugee crossfire with thousands of refugees and illegal immigrants flooding the island, already stretch in terms of resources.

SETE President Andreas Andreadis addressed the concerns of tourist operators around the country in a letter he sent to Alternate Interior Minister Yannis Mouzalas.

“The planning, creation and operation of new hotspots must be based on criteria that will ensure the daily lives of local communities will not be affected, local economy and employment will not be impacted, the operation of tourism enterprises and the quality of tourist services will not deteriorate [and take into consideration] any resultant effects to the image [of the destinations], the arrivals and government revenue,” Mr Andreadis said.

Mr Andreadis went on to add, that relocation centres must not be erected in destinations which are not directly affected by the refugee flows, and stressed that even those serving as crossover points due to their proximity with Turkey, namely Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos, the hotspots must serve only as temporary registration centres rom which refugees will then be relocated.

SETE’s president underlined that refugee centres should be constructed in sparsely populated areas where there is no tourism development, and added that eventually they may even improve the economy and boost employment