Ελληνικός τουρισμός, περιβάλλον & πολιτική

The ministerial decision published on April 4, 2023 triples the number of permits issued in 2022 but is a tenth of the number requested by employers. The total number of permits for all sectors is 167,925, of which 20,000 are covered by bilateral agreements with Egypt and Bangladesh. It is positive to finally see legal routes to migration and work, as long as worker's rights including decent work conditions and fair remuneration are respected. Youth Unemployment in Greece is still hovering around 30% thus the accute labour shortage in Greece's tourism sector is linked both to low wages and bad working conditions and an abrupt expansion of the sector after the pandemic. 

Thanks to the EU-cofunded project "Creation of Integrated Accessible Tourist Marine Destinations" there will be 250 accessible beaches for the 2023 Summer season. The EUR 15m project involved the supply and installation of non-permanent infrastructure to enable autonomous access to the sea for persons with disabilities and limited mobility as well as the installation of auxiliary facilities such as removable changing rooms, portable sanitary facilities, corridors, shading and protection areas for bathers, parking areas for disabled persons. We cannot find any official global data on accessible beaches, probably because there is no global standard, but according to Accessibletravel.online there were just 800 accessible beaches worldwide in 2022, so these 250 beaches would be a significant addition. That said, the world has to do a lot better given the estimated tens of thousands of organised beaches (again no data on total number).

An important event was held in Lamia on 13 March 2023 on the topic of "Wind farms in Oiti - threats to the ecosystem and the soft development of the region". The event was organized by the Movement of Citizens for the Protection of Oiti in collaboration with the Greek Mountaineering Association of Lamia, the Friends of the Forest Association and the "TRAHINA" Runners' Association. The purpose of the event was to inform the local community and to cancel the plans for the installation of wind turbines on the mountain of Oiti. The event was shown live on STAR Central Greece TV and all presentations can be watched online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVg3IqCp6Ec 

According to the European Wilderness Society, Pelophylax cerigensis, the critically endangered Karpathos frog,  is endemic to the southern Agean Greek island of Karpathos. Its range is now restricted to just two small rivers in the north of the island and mainly feeds on insects and spiders. As part of the LIFE-IP 4 NATURA project, WWF and the University of Athens have drawn up an action plan on its protection.

Green Councilor and former Member of the European Parliament Michalis Tremopoulos was arrested along with other 13 activists of the Save The Trees initiative during a peaceful sit-in protest in Romaikis Agoras Square, an urban park near the Roman Forum of Thessaloniki. They were trying to block contractors hired by the Municipality of Thessaloniki from cutting down 41 tall trees, as part of a city-wide EUR6m programme to cut down and subsequently replace 4,000 supposedly ailing and dangerous, tall trees in the city. The arrested were set free, apart from 5 who were held for refusing to give fingerprints. All have to appear in court with hyped up charges of violent resistance and threats against police, none of which are seen in the many videos of the incident available. Tremopoulos alleges there are economic interests behind the decision and that most of the trees can be saved. 

The union demands the payment of seniority benefits, the mandatory implementation of collective bargaining agreements and the extension of unemployment benefits without conditions and terms. - Read more

Το σωματείο απαιτεί την πληρωμή των επιδομάτων προϋπηρεσίας, την υποχρεωτική εφαρμογή των Συλλογικών Συμβάσεων Εργασίας και την επέκταση του επιδόματος ανεργίας χωρίς όρους και προϋποθέσεις - Περισσότερα

The Ministry has published a EUR 30m call for funding to upgrade the existing trails and cycling routes network, to create new ones along with recreational areas at selected points. The project will be coordinated by the Natural Environment & Climate Change Organization (OFYPEKA) and EUR 800k will be available per municipal unit.

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In December 2022, WWF Greece sent a report to the European Commission to protest about Greece's systematic failure "to protect significant and vulnerable ecosystems" including Natura 2000 network sites and to implement a relevant 2020 ruling of the EU Court of Justice. The NGO points out that recently-enacted national legislation on protected areas is inconsistent with European Directives. The Commission replied that it agrees with WWF and that it reserves the right to "pursue the infringement case" and send a Letter of formal notice to the Greek government.

Greece's highest administrative court has ordered the Municipality of Athens to proceed with the demolition of the two top floors of Coco-Mat Athens BC Hotel for exceeding maximum height regulations in the increasingly gentrified area of Koukaki, bordering the old city and the Acropolis.

Kathimerini reports that a new 192-bed five star hotel project in Mykonos will receive a EUR 6.6m state subsidy. The mayor of Mykonos is against the project and appealed in early 2022 to the Council of State to annul it on environmental grounds.