Another interesting one Tricia- glancing through the comments on it below the article I was struck by someone saying yet again that this or that should happen to bring the tourists back to Greece...why this emphasis always on tourism, yes it has been an important part of the economy, but it is the most unreliable industry, Greece needs some serious new industries there, I'd like to see some of the unnecessary hotels switched to other uses!
Message posted by dangermouse on 07 January 2012 at 1:42pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Janmanessi maybe you should ask yourself WHY Greece has no substantial industry. I believe it is down to the inevitable red tape, beaurocracy and corruption that has got Greece into the mess it is today.
Message posted by pru47 on 07 January 2012 at 2:29pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Found this article very interesting, 20 years of owning property in Greece and with his son now married and with a family in Athens did make you realise how hard times are. Well done John Humphrys.
Message posted by suffolk-steve on 07 January 2012 at 2:42pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
I see on youtube and other news sites that Greece is rich in minerals, oil, gas, gold, amongst others, why not exploit these get some real cash flowing in the economy, tourism is seasonal and whilst there is the euro people seem to shy away from it
Message posted by entrus10 on 07 January 2012 at 4:01pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Yes entrus10, and with so many young, or may be not so young talented Greeks, which could be put to good use, instead of leaving Greece for other countries.
Message posted by thecorfiot on 07 January 2012 at 6:01pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Quote: Originally posted by janmanessi on 07 January 2012
============== SNIP ====================
why this emphasis always on tourism, yes it has been an important part of the economy, but it is the most unreliable industry, Greece needs some serious new industries there, I'd like to see some of the unnecessary hotels switched to other uses!
Jan,
I fear that the emphasis is applied to tourism because at the end of the day, that is all Greece has tried to promote itself for in recent decades.
For example, I am sure you recognise that the once thriving dairy industry on Corfu no longer exists. To see a cow is a rarity, let alone herds of them. We used to get marauding herds come down off of Pantokrator and devastate the gardens in Loutses! It doesn't happen any more! (Thankfully!)
For fear of getting flamed, dare I suggest that at some time aound the 1960's tourism was suddenly seen as the easy option (I'm not suggesting that done properly, it is!)
Add to that the fact that the country is broke and has been for many years, it is not in a position to offer subsidies or any other encouragement for prospective businesses to come here. The only reason that companies outsource is MONEY, a commodity which is seriously lacking.
An earlier poster (forgive me for not recalling who it was) commented on the likelihood of major shareholders in any new business being German. Isn't Metaxa German owned?
Bob G.
Message posted by NIGEL on 07 January 2012 at 6:37pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
dangermouse maybe you should ask yourself WHY Greece has no substantial industry.
If you get away from the tourist enclaves on the mainland, and on Crete, you will find plenty of industry- which needs encouraging and expanding.
The reliance on tourism, such a fickle industry is so dangerous, and also distorts the view of the country if it is solely seen as a tourist destination, and its other industries and opportunities are ignored.
Bob G agree re the dairy industry. We used to have two cows which my husband milked and then sold the milk in the village (raw, untreated,- wouldn't the EU love that!) as sending it to the cooperative, then at Vrioni AEBEK paid so little, luckily as our yield was so small we did not really need them! But even so, finding fodder for them to eat in winter was not always easy- our cousin at Afra found getting labour to cut his fields for food for his cows and ours was very difficult. We sold our last cow in the 1980s. If it was hard to find food and a market for milk- let alone pasture for grazing then, how much harder would it be now!
Message posted by sooz on 07 January 2012 at 7:26pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Speaking to a Corfiot friend last year, he said that Greece has so many natural resources that could be exported, from gold to lemons! But no-one in authority is interested in utilising these resources, preferring to carry on relying on what Greece has been doing for years. As my friend said "I can see the situation so clearly; but what do I know? I am just an ordinary Greek!"
Sue
Message posted by Susanna on 07 January 2012 at 7:29pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Interesting how this thread has exposed - yet again - the belief that there is nothing in Greece except tourism. Even Greece lovers (like I presume most of us are) immediately presume the worst - that we are useless.
There are some amazingly successful Greek companies, including Raxevsky, Lapin House, Toi & Moi, Migato, Boxer, Jumbo, Raycap and Folie Folie. Lots of potential for growth, given the right government to nourish them. This is why my own belief is that it is vital we stay in the Euro - to stop the corrupt politicians having an even freer hand, which they would if we go back to being on our own with the drachma.
The article SusieM posted earlier this week was incredibly enlightening on how the present situation has been allowed to develop. I just wish the author could have come up with some solutions!
Message posted by NIGEL on 07 January 2012 at 8:03pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
A very interesting article by John Humphrys but I was immediately put off when he referred to Greece as "him". Surely Greece is female and the epitome of the mother country {Manamou Ellas)?
Message posted by Viv D on 07 January 2012 at 9:11pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Susanna There are some amazingly successful Greek companies.
Totally agree Susanna. A Company that I get work through started in Athens by a Greek Gentleman and now has offices In London plus there is another place in the World (sorry cannot think of it at the moment) and as far as I can see they are doing incredibly well. Well I have plenty of work through them.
Viv
Message posted by thecorfiot on 07 January 2012 at 10:35pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
All Rights Reserved. No part of the Corfu Travel Guide web site may be reproduced without permission.
Infringement will be pursued.
The Corfu Travel
Guide and Lefkada Travel Guides are brought to you by Agni Travel.
Agni Travel is the sister company of Taverna Agni and also the sponsor of the Agni Animal Welfare Fund
Topic:
