Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by claudia costa on March 19, 2012 at 15:11

Hi, although crowdfunding is surely an interesting idea and a way to get people involved in what is going on in Greece, I really think tourism is not the solution for the current crisis. I am the first one to be willing to pay a visit to Greece, but tourism is not a long-term sustainable way out. I think journalists covering Greece should rather be telling us how the population is coping on a daily basis during the crisis rather than focusing on beautiful promotional images. I think tourism journalists could help Greece greatly by telling things the way they are. I am a bit unclear about what all these campaigns want to achieve concretely...apart from media exposure.

Permalink Reply by Ioannis Andritsopoulos on March 19, 2012 at 18:36

Dear Claudia,

I think that no one claimed that tourism is “the solution for the current crisis”. After all, the solution to the crisis is definitely not in the hands of the Greek people. It’s in the hands of the Greek government and of the European leaders as well, who unfortunately keep on pretending that they don’t see the problem and keep on “solving” it with “solutions” which actually outgrow the original problem. But that’s another discussion!

So what people do have in their hands is crowdfunding initiatives (like the above), which I would expect you to support. Tourism is our only “industry” (our “heavy industry”, as I said in my post) and I believe that it is essential to promote it; not in order to “solve the crisis”, but in order to keep Greece alive. And that, I think, is the answer to your question (“What all these campaigns want to achieve concretely?”). There is nothing suspicious or dark behind these efforts!

I fully agree with you: I am against the idea of promoting a fake, idyllic and folkloric image of Greece – after all Greece is already beautiful; it doesn’t really need the creation of such myths!

P.S.: I am looking forward to welcoming you in Greece!

Permalink Reply by claudia costa on March 19, 2012 at 18:44

Hi Ioannis, I am really seriously thinking of visiting next summer, I love your country and its history, and I feel strongly connected to Greece, maybe because I am from Italy and both our past and present are very alike. I think that tourism will always be strong in Greece, but what I meant with my comment is that the only way to keep Greece alive in the long term is to think of developing some sectors that are not present in the country yet, so that tourism would no longer be the only silver line you can count on. But I am no policy adviser unfortunately so I cannot come up with any good suggestion. Today I was looking for some newspaper of any news website about Greece in English, to see how the situation is being portrayed. Maybe you could suggest some? That would be very helpful. All the best and somehow you will see that this crisis will end too (although nothing will be the same again).

Permalink Reply by Ioannis Andritsopoulos on March 19, 2012 at 19:05

Hello Claudia,

There are many ways to keep Greece alive. I hope that at least some of them will be followed.

Thanks for your feedback.

As far as your question is concerned, you can click on: http://www.ekathimerini.com/ .

It’s the website of Greece's daily English language newspaper Kathimerini English Edition. Its deputy editor Nick Malkoutzis and his team offer a very efficient day-to-day-coverage of the situation in Greece.

 

P.S.: “This crisis will end too (although nothing will be the same again)”. Why does the above statement scare me?!

Permalink Reply by claudia costa on March 19, 2012 at 19:22

ahaha was not meant to sound like a threat :) I just meant that hopefully nothing will be the same again because we have seen that something was not quite working in the EU system. So I meant it like an encouragement, nothing will be the same again. Hopefully it will be better and nations will be more enlightened towards each other (naive?). 

Permalink Reply by Ioannis Andritsopoulos on March 19, 2012 at 19:36

Positive thinking is never naive!

I will just say that "hope dies last"... :)

Permalink Reply by Eliana van de Craats Lima on March 19, 2012 at 19:14

Hi Claudia and Ioannis,

Thanks for keeping this group alive! I think discussions are a very good way to call attention for the subject and it is good to have different oppinions. Just to give some food for thought and hopefully engage other colleagues to disucss the issue further, I feel we just need a bit more information here as perhaps I haven't explained well my previous thoughts and why I do think tourism is a very important industry, and not the only option at all but a very important one for the following reasons:

One should not forget that there are countries all over the world, where tourism is the major industry. Even countries with lots of other business opportunities as Brazil, tourism plays a very important role in the local economy. What is at stake here is not only tourism development, but the welfare dimension in tourism development. Not only journalists but other professionals or observers can and have the opportunity to explore other different aspects of tourism.

I do agree that, the importance of the industry is yet not well studied, therefore, there are many interesting angles to look for and why not, it could as well be one of the major sources that might contribute to a successful solution of many crises: economic, envirnomental crises.

According Hall, and Getz (1987:3),  "tourism planning must be emphasized, as a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality".

Eliana

 

Permalink Reply by Ioannis Andritsopoulos on March 19, 2012 at 19:38

Good work Eliana! I agree with most of the things you mention.

And let's all hope that the group will receive more attention. It really deserves it!

Permalink Reply by Eliana van de Craats Lima on March 20, 2012 at 22:41

Ioannis, we can't forget to mention that Greece is not only about tourism, it is about philosophy, culture, education, environmentalism and so many other things. I think we will all meet each other soon as I do have a little secret: I have applied for a summer university in Athens. I hope I will be able to witness the return of Greece as one of the greatest nations and I do believe that Greek Gods will be there to support Hellas to re-emerge from its current chaos. It's time to write a new odissey, with a happy ending for Magna Greece. I am absolutely sure that triumph will come as Greece is saving the last dance for you and me for all of those that are willing to have faith...The current crisis is temporarily. After all, one should never expect Greeks dancing zorba, without smashing plates...a bit of drama is part of the script.

 

Permalink Reply by Ioannis Andritsopoulos on March 20, 2012 at 23:51

Well said Eliana!

That's quite a thrilling secret, isn't it?! I'm looking forward to welcoming you in Greece too!

P.S.: Quiz: How many Greek words are mentioned in Eliana's text? :D