How do you think the situation in our country will develop regarding tourism?
Greece has consistently ranked high on the global list of the most noteworthy summer destinations. Therefore, I predict that this year, in terms of tourism, the economy will also show an upward trend, but I believe that we should also focus on other sectors that have growth prospects.
How could the development of tourism in our country be combined with the promotion of local products?
In this regard, both citizens involved in the provision of accommodation and those active in the catering sector play a key role. By developing partnerships with local producers and promoting relevant products to visitors or patrons, tourists would be better informed about local products and their interest in purchasing them would probably increase.
In this context, how do you judge our country’s island policy?
Our islands are a huge attraction for tourists worldwide. Unfortunately, many of them suffer from serious deficiencies in areas such as health and infrastructure. I therefore believe that greater care should be taken in the construction of projects, the provision of raw materials and security on our islands, so that we can better showcase their beauty.
What is your opinion on the “TurkAegean” affair?
Speaking as an MEP and member of the ECR political group in the European Parliament, I believe that, in addition to the concerns regarding sovereign rights, which are affected by this <<theft>> in essence, the other side is partially appropriating the tourism product that we export, causing us as a country serious harm. Through our ECR political group, we have attempted many times at the European Parliament level to highlight this specific problem.
Given the instability that prevails in terms of weather phenomena, what is your opinion on climate change?
It is undoubtedly one of the main challenges that we are called upon to face. As for state responsibility, experience has shown that we could be described as anything but prepared in terms of dealing with such phenomena. Focusing on the construction of stable infrastructure, the appropriate training of the relevant personnel and the adoption of preventive measures could clearly contribute to the effective response and limitation of the unpleasant consequences of floods, fires and earthquakes that plague our country, provided that they are not disrupted and implemented in balance with the dictates of the economy and entrepreneurship in our country.
