Economic disaster imminent for hoteliers in southern Peloponnese

A year after the disastrous fires of 2006 a new fire broke out few days ago in Laconia prefecture in southern Peloponnese the moment the tourism traffic was at its peak. An ancient tragedy is taking place during the last days in Lakonia leaving six people dead only in Laconia among them the hotelier Ioannis Lekkas, owner of the “Onar” hotel in New Itylo in Laconia who burned to ashes along with its sister Evangelia Lekka in their effort to save French tourists.

Huge is the ecological disaster from the fires, as a large part of the unique natural environment of Taygetos and Parnonas, the mountainous areas in Laconia, which are major attraction for thousands of tourists in the region, were burned.

The future of tourism in the area is discouraging and the hotel sector of Laconia as well as all those who are occupied with the tourism business are in desperate situation according to Mr. Dimitris Pollalis, President of the Laconia Hotel Association.

“Though the fire didn’t cause any serious damages to our hotels, hoteliers face a huge economical problem as both the tourism product of Laconia and the environment suffered such an unprecedented disaster that it will need many years to pass in order the region to return in normality again,” stated Mr. Pollalis.

Occupancy at the hotel units of Laconia prefecture was at its highest level ever until 23rd of August with a strong dynamic to have been predicted until 15th of September. The occupancy levels fell to zero after the fires broke out, as tourists left the region with cancellations witnessed in scheduled and individual reservations.

“These facts,” adds Mr. Pollalis, “are not optimistic at all for the hotel sector in Laconia”, while he advised all those who make statements or predictions for non cancellations in the regions affected by the fires to be careful of what they are saying.