10 replies to this topic

[Retired in Crete]

Perhaps I am getting old and stupid but I fail to see how some of the recently announced austerity measures will do anything to help the Greek economy.

The increases in VAT and the current horrendous price of petrol (1.68 a litre for unleaded) will only increase the price of a holiday in Crete and so fewer tourists will visit. Fewer tourists mean less income and the prospect of even more businesses going down the tubes. How will this benefit the country?

The Turkish tourist industry must be rubbing their hands in glee!

John

[DaveW.]

Agree with you John.
My holiday is going to probably cost me a lot more this year than normal although we will not be doing anything different!
I intend to spend my money as normal in local shops/taverns etc and try to show some loyalty to those businesses who have provided me with such a friendly service over the last few years. I know it won't make much of a difference but I hope it will help a little!
Dave

[DaveW.]

.....whoopssss. Sorry John. didn't mean that I agree witth you being old and stupid. I meant that I agree with your comments about the austerity measures!!
Dave

[chorianos]

On the road to destruction

Can a society self-destruct? Yes, it most definitely can and the way Greece is headed right now it is a very real possibility that it will.
Here we have a state and a society that allow a handful of nihilistic hooligans to torch the city and cause the deaths of three citizens.
We have the leadership of the country’s second biggest political party opting for a populist line of rhetoric and failing to answer a simple question on whether or not it will support the government’s economic recovery plan.
We see a society that is mad, and justifiably so, and we see it going down an ill-advised path.
Then we see the government, caught in the grips of panic, contributing to the populist fever and pouring more oil over the fire.

Greece is at the most crucial point of its post-1974 history and whether we destroy ourselves or not, whether we go bankrupt or not, depends not just on our political leadership, but also on every single one of us individually and collectively.

Article in Ekathemerini, today

[Tinks]

The increases in VAT and those horrendous fuel prices are certainly going to mount up some extra costs on our holiday this year. Will also force us to have a think about our plans to get married in Chania next year too.

Hmm..

[DaveW.]

Wheyyyyyyyyyyyy, heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! Change of subject and no apologies!! Hi ya Tinks nice to see that you are still about and that you are planning a wedding!!!
xx

[chorianos]

Your quote: "I fail to see how some of the recently announced austerity measures will do anything to help the Greek economy".

I just wanted to say that these austerity measures will be very necessary and will be even the only way to save Greece from bankruptsy,
no mather who was responsable for this crisis.
Tourism will be affected of course, but hard times are coming for the Greek people and others living overhere ...

I hope you see my point

[Tinks]

Thanks Dave! (it's only taken us 9 years).

I'm always visiting here, never went away. I've been closely observing what is happening to the economy in Greece and wondering how it is affecting Crete. Having just returned from a driving trip through Holland, Germany and Austria - I can confirm that fuel prices are all over the place in Europe at the moment average examples (unleaded)

Holland €1.57 a litre
Germany €1.45 a litre
Austria €1.25 a litre

I was expecting Crete to be around these figures or a little higher, but €1.68 is a scary figure indeed. With the VAT set to go up to (I believe) 23.5%, it will make tourists think twice about visiting. I really hope that the damage is minimal though.

[Retired in Crete]

Charming,

I have never disputed that austerity measures are necessary, I just query the logic of doing things which will damage tourism, one of the countries principal sources of income.

Greek bureaucracy is legendary. How many times have you been into a government department and told that you have to have papers stamped by the man whose sole job is custodian of the rubber stamp? In my opinion a good 50% of government employees could be dispensed with without affecting the services. The "job for life" mentality must stop.

I also seem to remember that about five years ago OTE asked for voluntary redundancies. If I remember correctly, their offer was a small lump sum and to be paid their current salary until they reached retirement age. In other words, we will still pay you just don't bother turning up! This is the sort of gross stupidity that needs to stop.

I fully endorse the governments attempts to stamp out the black economy and ensure that every one pays their taxes. It is just a pity that they didn't do it years ago.

John

[yannis_s]

The cheapest price for unleaded petrol in Heraklion yesterday (May 6, 2010) was 1,53€.
The cheapest price for unleaded petrol in Chania yesterday (May 6, 2010) was 1,60€.

[chorianos]

John,

Every measure taken will have a negative influence on tourism, no escaping at that.

Totally agree with you about how the Greek bureaucracy is working (wrong verb in this context, I think).
Also the “baksheesh” mentality has to be exterminated.
You can never have your papers done without leaving money in your file.

Charming