Easing Lockdown Is A Momentum For Greece To Boost Tourism

JAKARTA - The option for lockdown or lockdown has been recognized by many countries regarding its success in curbing the rate of COVID-19. On that basis, many of the countries that have implemented lockdowns have begun to loosen these policies. Some are reopening shops, and some are looking to reopen tourism as is being done by Greece.

The Greek government revealed that the easing of the lockdown was their first start in reopening several prime tourism locations to bring in tourists so that the economy would continue to spin in July.

According to Reuters, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis will reopen tourist attractions in stages starting with re-allowing hotels operating throughout the year on June 1.

"Our target is to start the (holiday) season from July, which will probably last until October or November," said Theoharis.

He said this because he saw tourism as the main source of state revenue. The proof, the Greek tourism sector can produce 34 million foreign tourists a year ago. As a result, Greece can reap profits in the tourism sector of up to 18.2 billion euros, equivalent to Rp321 trillion.

"This season will not be like any other year, it is very difficult to believe that this can happen. However, there are many ways we can do to reopen the economic tap of the tourism sector, ”he continued.

Interestingly, the steps taken by the government have become an oasis for tourism business people. How could it not, as long as the spread of COVID-19 around the world, it has made the Greek tourism sector experience a deep crisis.

"Tourism is facing the greatest crisis of our generation," said the President of the Corfu Hotel Association Charalambos Voulgaris.

The man who also owns two resorts on the Ionian Sea, really felt the impact of the sluggish tourism sector during COVID-19. Sadly again, he could not guess when it would be relatively safe to start running his business again.

Moreover, considering the reality that passenger traffic on ships has fallen by up to 90%. As well as the flow of domestic and foreign flights, which continued to fall by 59% in March, according to the civil aviation authority.

“We've seen very low occupancy rates. We don't know if our hotels will open, when they will open, so we are now on the verge of very difficult times, "said Voulgaris.

Meanwhile, so far Greece has confirmed 2,566 cases of COVID-19 transmission. Among them, there were 138 cases died.