It has been a tough year for all of us. We have been bombarded with salary cuts, seen our friends dismissed from work and felt the consequences of the financial crisis in all aspects of our daily lives. Nothing has been more frightening than the daily “gloom and doom” situation that the media propagate.
The summer time provides the time for short-term escapism. And this is something we all need. Therefore, this article has a summer theme.
Can holidays save us? Europe is experiencing a period of stagnation. Tourism is one of the major EU industries but requires special attention and planning. It is a sector that is doing well but can be developed further. The Lisbon Treaty provides room for further progress in this particular field. Discussions are already taking place at the EU level on the prospects for tourism. Nevertheless, EU plans should not remain on paper. The EU should grasp the opportunity to extend its policy remit. Such policy extension requires imaginative responses to problems and a combination of instruments from various EU policy fields, as tourism cross-cuts many other EU policies (environment, economy, regional development). If the EU wants to be productive in the field of tourism it has to be more flexible and creative. It has to set up clearly defined targets and engage all the different actors in tourism in a bottom-up manner.
The right to have a holiday has been consolidated after long social battles. It is interesting to see how European citizens see it as an “acquis”. The travel/holiday sector has been in decline due to the financial crisis but did not suffer a catastrophic blow. The latest statistics show that the sector is on the road to gradual recovery.
I see all the “ups” and “downs” of tourism, as I come from a tourist destination, an island of the Aegean Sea called Mykonos. I feel privileged to have grown up in Mykonos. It is a beautiful island with traditional white houses, windmills, beaches and rocky scenery. It has many facets – archaeological (neighbouring Delos was one of the most important Ancient Greek cities), folkloric (a multiple number of feasts, religious celebrations, cultural events), natural (unspoilt beaches, rocky spaces, sun, sea), and recreational (party atmosphere, relaxation). One should not forget the hospitality of its people, who have made the island a very special destination for all kinds of visitors.
Mykonos is a hub of multiculturalism. It is open to people from all backgrounds and all aspects of life. It has never been “exclusive”. It is a cosmopolitan place, a global mosaic, a real picture of our ecumenical world. Everybody is welcome: no ageism or sexism is permitted. Mykonos hosts many different “tribes”: party animals, curious visitors, beach lovers, fashion people, artists. There is an uninstitutionalised respect for “minorities” as the island has a strong gay following. Mykonos is a place which put into practice “acceptance” long before it became the norm. I sometimes feel that Mykonos does a lot more to fight stereotypes than many of the established national/EU policies. Tourists make new friends in the island and they meet each other there every year. There has been a strong link between tourists and the local people who treat them as more than mere customers. Tourism is a form of culture and communication. Many of the tourists we met through the years became our friends, and play a part in our lives. We were invited to their weddings, visited them in their places of residence, felt their pain in difficult moments, and shared the sorrow when they lost a relative or a partner.
Mykonos is a small part of the world that has been at the forefront of changes: various artistic, musical and fashion trends occupied the island for as long as they lasted. Mykonos also became a hot spot for sexual liberation. It survived the HIV epidemic and struggles with drugs. It has paid the price of uneven environmental protection and unplanned construction. It now faces the burden of the financial crisis. Over the years, the island has changed a lot. From a trendy hippy destination to a place that the media portrays as an endless binge drinking party. Spontaneous communication has been threatened by big impersonal bars and a nouveau riche lifestyle.
Still, notwithstanding some negative development, the island has the power to keep much of its beauty intact. It is a “topos” where different wishes can be fulfilled. Nevertheless, it requires special attention, and I do hope that Mykonos will become a space where policies of alternative touristic development will be developed in the near future.
Below the superficial surface of the media coverage of Mykonos one can see that the local people have their own worries and problems. Life was never easy for the islanders and it is not easy today. Inhabitants of islands have long suffered from the cut-off effects of insularity. Still they manage, as they have a strong spirit of survival. It is worth talking to local people in order to grasp their feelings and fears. Each year is one of agony. Will tourists come? What will be the impact of the crisis? What will happen with the water reserves? Will there be enough boat connections with Piraeus? What about our lives? The education of our children? When will we have sufficient medical coverage in our local health centre?
For many of us, Mykonos offers a space for self-reflection and peace. It offers us the time to reconsider the practices of everyday life, to think about the future. The eternal light of the island is a source of energy and life that contrasts with the dark mediatised projections of our times. Mykonos inspired artists through the years. It still inspires today. It makes you inward-looking as you want to stare at the sea and think. It also makes you extroverted as you want to go out and communicate with the different “tribes” of the island.
I would like to wish you a happy holiday. For those of you who will be visiting Mykonos, just give me a shout. I will be the one sitting in front of the port café with my books, notes and laptop, agonising over the future of the EU. Research never ends!
#1 by Marcel on August 15, 2010 - 3:54 pm
We have been bombarded with salary cuts, seen our friends dismissed from work and felt the consequences of the financial crisis in all aspects of our daily lives. Nothing has been more frightening than the daily “gloom and doom” situation that the media propagate.
Not the unelected undemocratic EU elites, who demand big fat pay increases and increased perks at our expense.
#2 by Ardath Blauvelt on August 15, 2010 - 5:43 pm
Why do you think you are different than anyone else? And yet you expect (hope?) someone else will pay for vacations? That’s part of the problem. Self responsibility is eseential to every hope in the world. Until we accept that, the future will erode. At least you live in a very lovely place and not some squalid inner city.
#3 by JohnieB on August 15, 2010 - 6:53 pm
Mykonos is a very nice place… Been there, had a great time,,,,Hope to go back there one day
#4 by le tea party française on August 16, 2010 - 11:44 am
“nice” piece of cheap publicity about greece from a greek… interesting as the place maybe, this piece is being used to promote the nonsensical “right to tourism” and more integrationist plans for the EU. let tourism to those who run it, entrepreneurs. when i drink kahve in bodrum looking at agonising europe, i have no doubt as to why it is failing. led by “luminaries” like yourself, it is bound to be stuck on the quay of interventionist stagnation while others sail away to brighter liberal futures!
#5 by Greek taxpayer on August 16, 2010 - 5:21 pm
Vasilis thinks that going on about Mykonos makes him seem cool and cosmopolitan because it is popular with gay men, who are oh-so-exotic! Why don’t you try Lesbos, Vasilis, it will make you appear even cooler.
And, the EU has already pumped millions and millions of euros into the Greek tourism sector.
As for the financial crisis, in Greece at any rate it is the product of the mentality and behaviour you represent.
#6 by Jorge Sevilla on August 16, 2010 - 9:29 pm
I personally enjoyed the article because it is interesting and studies tourism from a sociological point of view. Tourism has not been within the EU policy remit and no EU money has been invested in tourism simply for this reason.
I dont have a problem with gays myself Mr ‘Greek taxpayer’ …but maybe it would be good for you to take a trip to Mykonos in order to get liberated?
#7 by Pano on August 17, 2010 - 1:02 am
I think if Greece was smart (mainland and the islands), they would all become cosmopolitan as Mykonos is. I have traveled to Greece since I was a little kid and I have to say that most islands are the same. The only exception really is how the tourists are treated. Being cosmopolitan is what made Mykonos popular since the 60′s, but there is no reason why other islands cannot emulate what goes on in Mykonos. One thing people should also remember is that homosexuals are trend setters.
One thing I did notice the past few years in regards to Mykonos, is that it is losing it’s appeal with the heterosexuals and the homosexuals. It’s become too expensive to holiday in Mykonos. In the past, the island had the most corrupt Mayor in existence, but one thing he was keen on was consistency and that’s what helped to keep the island rolling in money or should I say greed and corruption is what helped to keep the island rolling in money. Now the island is in a free-fall and no one has a clue as to how to stop it. People will always holiday in Mykonos, but they’ll leave saying “I don’t think I would come back”.
In all, Mykonos has itself to blame and it nothing to do with the economic crisis going on in Greece and or the rest of the world.
#8 by Lagaña on August 17, 2010 - 1:23 pm
Le tea party française,
Sail away to brighter liberal shores, please do. But before you do so you might want to check the relationship between article and adjective in French. Nomen est omen!
#9 by Pano on August 18, 2010 - 11:43 am
Shit hitting the fan in Mykonos…
“Myconos officials face graft trial” as if this is the only corruption on the island??
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100008_18/08/2010_119104
#10 by Kim-Yong on August 18, 2010 - 2:31 pm
I ve been to the island a couple of times and I really enjoyed it a lot. I also come from a tourist destination so I can really relate with many of the things that Vasilis mentions in his article. I do hope that a lot more will be done in order to preserve the particular character of the island.
#11 by Greek taxpayer on August 18, 2010 - 3:44 pm
Jorge, Ms Greek taxpayer doesn’t have problems with gays either and wonders why you assume she’s heterosexual She does, however, suspect that Mr Vasilis thinks it makes him seem really cool and “open-minded” to go to Mykonos because gay people go there. Although, one shouldn’t assume he isn’t gay himself. But, if you ever come to Greece, Jorge, just check how many “rented rooms” have EU signs on the, indicating that they have been given EU funds to renovate. And all the Greek museums which wouldn’t exist without EU money.
I must admit, I avoid Mykonos myself because it’s too packed and “trendy”, attracts people who want to “show off” and is a bit too biased towards “partying”. I prefer more relaxing places.
Thanks Pano, I saw that article too and think it should be posted in full. Of course, before Greece almost went bankrupt before being saved by a massive loan from the rest of the EU and IMF the authorities wouldn’t have cared less about investigating such corruption. So, Vasilis, just check that your hotel gives you a proper receipt and all the bars and cafes you go to as well!
Myconos officials face graft trial
18 August 2010
Two mayors, two deputy mayors and three municipal employees are to be charged this month with allowing dozens of hotels and rooms-to-let businesses on Myconos not to pay dues to the local authority, sources said yesterday.
It is believed that the island’s municipal coffers were at least 6 million euros short as a result of the seven suspects failing to collect an annual tax from local hoteliers that amounted to 2 percent of their pretax earnings.
Sources said that following an investigation by a Syros-based magistrate that covered the period from 2002 to 2009, the seven will be charged before the end of the month with breach of duty, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years.
Among those due to be charged are current Myconos Mayor Thanasis Kousathanas-Megas, former Mayor Christos Veronis and deputy mayors Alexandros Vamvakouris and Thrasyvoulos Kontomitros. Three municipal employees have also been charged with forgery, embezzlement, stealing documents and making false statements.
The bank accounts of the seven suspects have been inspected but according to sources no suspicious deposits were identified. Although authorities suspect the businesses that were not charged the 2 percent tax by the municipality paid some form of bribe for the privilege, no trace of illegal payments has been found.
According to sources, the Myconos Municipality failed to keep detailed records of all the hotels and rooms-to-let on the Cycladic island.
Instead of updating the list every year, so the tax could be levied regularly, officials only did so every five years, allowing many hoteliers to get away without paying.
#12 by Johan33 on August 19, 2010 - 3:21 am
I have been in the island and enjoyed every minute of it. I am a frequent visitors and I first went there alone, now with my family. There is a wide variety of things to do…If you dont like busy places try Mykonos in May-June or September…It is nice and warm but not too crowded. I also talked to the local people who mentioned the issue of corruption and I hope that now it is the time to sort things out. I enjoyed the scenery and the people were also very friendly. Mykonos is a beautiful place.
#13 by duo on August 19, 2010 - 1:42 pm
This is supposed to be an article? I fail to see what this article contributes, if anything at all. This is material suited for some in flight magazine.
#14 by AnaEquis on August 19, 2010 - 2:18 pm
I enjoyed the article…Maybe I am too swallow ,,,,But I found it interesting and stimulating…Ibiza has a similar story so I can relate to it too…
#15 by Vicki Morris on August 23, 2010 - 10:27 pm
I think some of the comment makers really do need to have a holiday in Mykonos, or somewhere else sunny and relaxed. (Goodness knows, I know I do.)
I enjoyed the observations from someone who lives in a destination such as those most of us Europeans simply visit for a couple of weeks a year – if we are lucky.
The most interesting part for me is reminding us that holidays are something people have gained through social struggle. Are the social movements in any fit state to defend that right? Couldn’t we and shouldn’t we have thought more about the impact of tourism on the destinations we patronised over the years? Did we actually feel any obligation to get to know the places and the people better?
What avenues can we find for more solidarity of this type? Through the EU or through other channels?
(I have to declare an interest as I do know Vasilis, a genuine Mykonos resident – and not one engaged in the tourist industry!)
#16 by Lennart Keisu on August 25, 2010 - 10:13 am
After having read som of the commentaries…
I too prefer a rainy holiday in Britain surounded by grumpy and bitter ale drinkers..
#17 by demotalk on August 25, 2010 - 11:35 am
I’d rather go to less popular places, without a laptop. Vassili, ti s’epiase; ta piatakia ths manas sou; na mou th gnvreiseis!