Nikos Chalkiadakis, President of the Heraklion Hoteliers Association and CEO of Cactus Hotels: ‘Tourism businesses and employees will need the support of the State’

“Tourism businesses and workers will need the support of the State”

Interview with Mr. Nikos Chalkiadakis, President of the Heraklion Hotel Association and Managing Director Cactus Hotels

The President of the Heraklion Hotel Association and Managing Director of Cactus Hotels in Crete, Mr. Nikos Chalkiadakis spoke to grtraveller about how the 2021 tourist season is evolving on the island and the plan for the safe operation of the hotels.

Another doubtful and crucial season

Ο κ. Halkiadakis estimates that this year’s tourist season will be another doubtful and critical season for the industry, considering the importance of the tourism industry for our country.

The origin of the tourists in Crete is expected to be from Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium and “we hope”, Mr. Halkiadakis, that soon the market of M. Britain, Russia and the Netherlands, which are the main countries of arrival in the tourism of Crete.”

However, as regards the role of the state in supporting the sector, he suggests: “Tourism businesses and workers will need support both during the season and afterwards, so that when they recover they can once again contribute dynamically to the economic and social development of the country. The state is trying to help but has put safeguards in place and does not cover large enterprises that have several branches with a common VAT number.

The Cactus Hotels adhere to all health protocols

“This year’s operation of Cactus Hotels is fully intertwined with what the health protocols stipulate. The management’s goal is to ensure the health and safety of both staff and guests”, Mr. Chalkiadakis points out and explains:

“Each Cactus department strictly adheres to a specific action plan – operating against Covid 19, all staff are trained and up to date with the protocol. A plan of action in case of a suspected outbreak has been in place since last year and has been accompanied by a formal preparedness exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate, by the health scientists, the effectiveness of the procedures and the alertness of the action team to respond and follow the plan that has been developed to respond to an emergency.

Our staff wears all the PPE, observes the distances and operates according to the protocol and the legislation. Cactus Beach has been Covid Shield certified since the 2020 season and the certification is renewed for this season.”