INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOTEL ASSOCIATION OF HERAKLION CRETE,
MR. NIKOS HALAKIADAKIS AT GRTRAVELLER AND TO MARGARITA MANOUSOU
The President of the Heraklion Crete Hoteliers and Managing Director of the CACTUS HOTELS, κ. Nikos Halkiadakis, speaks to grtraveller for the special tourist year 2022.
How do you predict that arrivals will move in 2022 compared to 2021 and 2019?
The 2022 arrivals are satisfactory, almost the same as in 2019. The season has started well, Crete is the number one destination in Greece in terms of arrivals, which are increasing daily. Already since the end of May all hotels have opened and occupancy rates are at 65-70%. If we talk purely about the number of arrivals we are satisfied so far, but if we take into account the exogenous, uncontrollable factors that affect tourism then we will have a clear picture in the end-of-season report.
Crete is the number one destination of our country in terms of arrivals. What do you think are the factors that make Crete and Heraklion in particular such an interesting and attractive destination?
Crete is a blessed place, which is why it rightly ranks first as the country’s most popular destination in terms of arrivals. The factors are many, the climate, the harmony of the natural landscape, the gastronomy, the hospitality and the safety that we have practically proved in the last two years are the main reasons.
Do you think that the increase in energy costs, which is expected to affect the prices of air and ferry tickets, will it affect the tourist product of Crete?
Of course it already affects it to a certain extent. We have all turned our attention to events and developments at the global level. We hope that we will not have a further escalation of this crisis that we are facing again, as the tourism sector has already been hit in the last four years.
Russia’s war in Ukraine will reduce the number of visitors from these markets. Have you taken steps to help attract visitors from other markets?
The war in Ukraine means 0% turnout of Ukrainian visitors and Russians as flights to European countries have been banned. These visitors account for 10% of inbound tourism to Crete. Already, the industry has made moves and the attraction of visitors from Germany, England, Belgium and the Netherlands will offset at least 6%. Also this year we will have new flights from Abu Dhabi and Kazakhstan.
What do you predict the prices of the tourist product in Crete will be in 2022 compared to 2021-2019?
Current prices are proportionately the same as the 2019 price levels. During the pandemic seasons, in order to attract visitors, offers of 15-25% were made.
To which markets is the Cretan tourism product addressed and how competitive will it be in 2022 and its selling price?
The packages are particularly attractive as the prices are stable compared to 2019. Crete is the third most popular destination for European visitors, after Mallorca and Antalya.
Do you believe that the state should assist tourism entrepreneurs in Crete, regarding the issue of rising energy costs and the burden it will have on the Cretan tourism product?
Of course the state must help. If we look at the figures for 2019, which was a normal year without challenges, that the total contribution of tourism to GDP is 21% and to employment is about 22%, I think that’s a reasonable answer. It is estimated that by 2022 the contribution of tourism to GDP will exceed 28%.
What are your proposals to the state?
My proposal is that the entrepreneurial hotelier should not bear the full burden of this crisis. Operators will be burdened with F&B and staff costs, which are particularly high this year due to the shortage of staff in the labour market. The state to manage and cover energy costs.
