Political blackout
Tourism is the most vital sector of the Greek economy and it should not be treated like a game, so it’s a shame that our politicians so often seem to exploit it for the sake of personal gain.
The recent predicament on the Aegean island of Santorini, which was hit by a power cut during the peak season for tourism, has raised a number of pressing questions.
Why did the authorities fail to ensure that key tourism destinations such as Santorini have safe and adequate power during peak season?
Why did no government official travel to Santorini with the aim of overseeing management of the situation?
Where was Greece’s Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloyianni (otherwise known for her love of public relations stunts)?
The only people who worked to deal with the blackout were the technicians of the Public Power Organization (PPC), its retired staff who struggled to fix the damage to the old equipment, and staff from the Greek navy – all people who are used to performing their duties with scant reward.
