Sea tourism has more to give
The development of sea tourism is a key dimension for the country’s economy as Greece has several obvious natural advantages compared with other destinations. However, these advantages have not been used to their full potential, according to the head of the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association (EPEST), Antonis Stelliatos. In Greece there are about 3,200 professional yachts sailing under a Greek flag. The number of those yachts is expected to rise considerably. Stelliatos, recently elected to head EPEST, told Kathimerini that for the activity the sector has seen in the last couple of years to rise further, the Merchant Marine and Tourism Development ministries must redouble their promotion efforts and work closely with sea tourism officials. There are several important issues which, according to Stelliatos, should take priority in order for Greek yachting to become more competitive, covering all needs of high-quality tourists who lease professional tourist yachts: – Special emphasis must be given to improving the yacht mooring infrastructures. It is unacceptable for Greece to have islands such as Santorini with just one marina, when rival countries such as Croatia or Turkey have up to 81 marinas – in the case of Croatia – or fewer in the case of Turkey, but very modern. – The advertising campaign which Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia has started for the promotion of specialized forms of tourism must continue. Sea tourism is one of those forms and major emphasis is placed on the US market. – One of the most important issues in the sector of sea tourism companies is the training of crews, so as to ensure the upgrading of services offered. Only with special schools educating crews for professional yachts can the problem be solved so that crews trained can respond to the requirements of high-standard yacht leasers. – The institutional framework of yachts’ operation must become more competitive, through the amendment of the two laws concerning professional yachts. – A fixed aim for the yachting sector has been the companies’ inclusion in those benefiting from the investment incentives laws. – There should be equal treatment with cruise ships as far as the subsidization of Seamen’s Pension Fund (NAT) contributions is concerned. – There must be direct cooperation between the Merchant Marine Ministry and EPEST to tackle the everyday bureaucratic problems that plague the sector’s enterprises for no reason.
