Former prime minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos emphasized the need for the proper implementation and enforcement of the existing legal framework during a panel discussion at the “Reimagine Tourism in Greece” conference. The discussion focused on a new special spatial framework for tourism, which critics argue fails to address the impact of platforms like Airbnb on local housing markets. Pikrammenos suggested that regulations should be tailored to the unique characteristics of each area to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dimitris Athanasoulis highlighted the historical significance of tourism in demographic growth and societal mobility in the islands. Nikos Zorzos, mayor of Santorini, criticized the current framework for lacking specificity and enforcement mechanisms, advocating for local government control over tourism fees for infrastructure improvements. Giorgos Chatzimarkos, governor of the South Aegean region, stressed the importance of region-specific solutions for managing tourist flows and improving local infrastructure.
The “Reimagine Tourism in Greece” conference, organized by Kathimerini, aims to promote sustainable tourism by bringing together leaders in the industry for discussions and initiatives to address pressing challenges.