Professionalism needed in tourism sector
Your editorial on tourism («A creative approach to boosting tourism,» June 4) reminded me of my recent experience at the port of Igoumenitsa. We are English, live in the area, and were in the port one day when, much to our surprise, the tourist office was actually open! We often go for coffee so I know it is usually not open. We have some friends coming to stay so I went in to get some of the leaflets for them to look at and maybe keep to take back home. There was a very rude and abrupt person in there looking constantly at his computer so I started to have a look at the leaflets. When I picked some up and asked if it was alright to take them (I know they are for taking but I was being polite) he just grunted «Nein.» I explained I was English but he just kept speaking to me in German. This is a very, very rude person who should definitely not be on the «front line» to «welcome» any tourists. I have written to the tourist authorities many times requesting information and have never, ever had a reply. This is such a difference to the Greece we knew many years ago and such a contrast to the particular tourist office which sent us a lot of leaflets in the UK for our trips here. The brochures were beautiful with lovely pictures and information which really encouraged us to visit places. We have been all over the mainland of Greece and to many of the islands as well. I’m afraid the attitude now seems to be «take it or leave it» and from what we see, most people are choosing to leave it. A great shame really. DEE HICKLING, Epirus.
