Recently we have been reading on Greek media, but also from people involved in the tourism industry, about the need for touristic resorts and hotels to restart operating as soon as possible, especially those located on Greek islands.
SBS Greek is attempting to shape an overview of the developments the pandemic has caused and shares conversations with Greek Australians living and working on relatively small islands in Greece.
After a first stop on Santorini and another one on Ithaki, we arrive at Amorgos, the island of the “Big Blue”, the easternmost of the Cyclades. An island said to make visitors fall in love with it and feel at home.
During the last few years, Amorgos is home for Semeli Drymonitis, who is a permanent resident and owner of a tourism business, specifically a travel agency.
Greece, Cyclades, Amorgos Island: Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa. Source: Getty Images/Andia/Universal Images Group
Ms Drymonitis was once more hosted in our Programme in the past, when she decided to migrate from Melbourne to live permanently on Amorgos. During the last year, she is a member of the Tourism Committee of the Municipality of Amorgos.
Three new factors
“We would like people to help us, the people on the small islands, which are safe destinations, lacking congestion,” says Ms Drymonitis on SBS Greek. “This”, she stresses, “is a new factor in tourism: making visitors feel they have enough space around them”.
Another factor, she says, is the need for immediate contact with nature, after a prolonged period of confinement in urban centres.
The third factor is to call people to trust the small islands. “We have acted responsibly so far and we have handled the situation successfully. We will continue acting responsibly and we want everyone to be well and safe”.
“Let’s not remain idle”
Potamos, Amorgos. Source: Supplied
Although reservations for June have long been cancelled, Ms Drymonitis wouldn’t like owners of tourism businesses to remain idle.
“People need to feel they work, that the tourist season is starting. We are now experiencing a more optimistic feeling and we hope it lasts” she adds.
She points out that tourism businesses have already suffered damages. “Since we didn’t have visitors during Easter and all accommodation establishments have reduced reservations, there is already damage in the market”.
“Most businesses have received the special allowance of 800 € from the State and social security charges have been reduced”. But she stresses that the problem for this year hasn’t been solved yet.
It is important to see what we do, as individual businesses and other forms of collectives.
The village of Langada is located in the north part of Amorgos. Source: Supplied
“In the beginning, there was indeed a strange sensation, but daily life didn’t change dramatically for us here on the island. The pandemic arrived towards the end of winter, which is anyway a form of “quarantine” for our island and most shops, restaurants and bars are closed”.
“From Easter onwards, when tourist movement usually starts, the fact that there were no church services, all these elements started feeling awkward. As time goes by and the summer heat is approaching, this sensation becomes even stranger”, Ms Drymonitis stated on SBS Greek.
Note: The interview was held on 17 May and prior to waiving restrictions for movement of passengers from and to the Greek islands.
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Levrossos beach, on the north part of Amorgos island. Source: Supplied
