European Commission Chief Spokesperson Lauds Greek Tourism

European Commission Chief Spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas.

“Tourism boosts the Greek economy, but the Greek economy should definitively turn the page and facilitate tourism, rather than slow it down”, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, said on Tuesday.

Speaking during the 15th Tourism & Development Conference of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) in Athens, Schinas referred to the prospects of Greek tourism and noted that in 2026 the contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP will exceed 22 percent, while 28 percent of the total workforce will be employed in the tourism sector.

“These two elements certify that beyond any doubt, tourism is the real ‘tiger’ of the Greek economy”, he said, only to add that while Greek tourism is developing, the Greek economy is continuing its difficult road to recovery.

Citing data from the recently released Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017, Schinas stressed that Greece dropped five places in the rankings of 138 countries from 81st place to 86th on the list of the most competitive economies.

“In key indicators of competitiveness, such as the development of the financial system, Greece occupies the 136th place among 138 countries and the 137th place – second to last – in terms of access to finances”, he said.

Schinas highlighted that in order for tourism to prosper, legislation must be simplified and “overregulation” abolished.

Among other things, he called for the use of European best practices and encouraged synergies.