Issue no. 72 Vol. 7 October 2019
FREE MONTHLY INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER FOR CHANIA AND CRETE
YOUR LOCAL NEWS PORTAL
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news
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Photo of the month
CHANIA POST Your local free paper 73, El. Venizelou str., Chania, 73100 Tel. +30 6977 295075 Owner/Publisher: FTP Publlications Web: http://www.cretepost.gr E-mail: info@chaniapost.eu FB: http://www.facebook.com/chaniapost Twitter: @chaniapost Advertising: Chania Post, 73, El. Venizelou str., Chania Tel. +30 6977295075 http://www.ftp-publications.gr DTP: FTP Publications Find CHANIA POST at the following points: CHANIA Municipal Market, Airport, Public Bus Central Station, Old Harbour, Municipal Tourist Information Desk PLATANIAS Central Square Infokiosk, Botanical Park, Italian Factory Outlet and selected shops in Platanias KISSAMOS Gramvousa and Balos boats, Elafonissi, Falassarna KANDANOS-SELINO Paleochora Info Desk, Sougia, Kandanos SFAKIA Hora Sfakion Infokiosk, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, ANENDYK boats APOKORONAS Georgioupolis, Kavros, Vamos, Kalyves, Vrysses
Greek market gears up to adjust to single-use plastics ban The Greek market appears ready to rise to the challenge set by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding a forthcoming ban on all single-use plastics, business representatives told Xinhua. Mitsotakis announced from New York, where he was for the UN Climate Action Summit, that single-use plastics will be banned across Greece as of 2021. Greece has already made some progress in this regard by charging users of plastic carrier bags with an environmental tax over the last couple of years, in compliance with a European Union directive. This measure reduced single-use plastic bags by an estimated 80 to 85 percent in 2018, compared
to the year before, according to a survey by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA). Applying a ban to all types of single-use plastics, such as cups, bottles, straws and other commodities of everyday use may seem more difficult, but it is entirely feasible for Greece, said Ilianna Kosta, a product designer of a local manufacturer of bamboo-made biodegradable utensils. “The Greek market is working very hard to show progress in this respect, and is advancing fast. Lo-
cal business has made a dynamic entry in environment-friendly products and the Greek society has also matured toward that,” Kosta told Xinhua. “We get so much more interest from various businesses for our plastic-free products, and several other companies like ours have sprung out after we launched our business in 2016,” said Kosta, affirming her certainty that the challenge for the ban of single-use plastics can indeed be met within two years. Athens International Airport (AIA)
spokesman Ioakim Tsimbidis told Xinhua that the main Greek airport has proceeded with banning single-use plastics from the employees’ food service areas, while the food service companies for passengers have also proceeded to the replacement of single-use plastics with environmentally friendly choices. Companies are now going out of their way to ensure they reduce the use of plastic, often encouraging each other to do so, according to Tsimbidis. AIA and food service companies at the terminal “are together examining further action aimed at completely eradicating single-use plastics in the coming years,” Tsimbidis said.
...and also in more than 100 points throughout Chania Prefecture!
European Commission approves Greek home foreclosure protection plan Τhe European Commission has approved a plan for the protection from foreclosure of the primary residence of those who have delinquent mortgage loans. According to the announcement of the Commission the annual budget for the implementation of
the plan is 132mn euros. There will be strict criteria for admission to the programme as regards the value of the primary residence and the income of the debtor so as to include only those who are truly in need. Those included in the programme will receive a subsidy worth be-
tween 20 percent and 50 percent (depending on their income) of the monthly repayment instalment. Conditions include that the loan must be secured by the primary residence and that the borrower must continue to pay his or her share of the monthly instalment.
If the borrower stops servicing the loan the bank can commence foreclosure procedures. All banks will have to restructure the loans of those admitted to the programme in accordance with the rquirements set by the state. To Vima
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news Charity event for “Elpida” association for children with cancer was a huge success!
The event for the charity was a huge success with approximately 2.400 euro collected for the charity. “We had a hysterically funny pool relay race then a tombola with
plenty of wine and whiskey won! While the kids had face panting and hook a duck with lucky packet prizes. Followed by a unique performance by the very entertaining “4 goats and banjo” band and then
Cretan dancers that were superb! Not only did we have fun but we celebrated the life of Ben who’s grandparents organised this event in his honour. As Elpida’s logo says “one’s childs
life is worth the fight”. We would like to thank all the locals and visitors for their donations support and the Chania Post for publishing this event”.
the cover story
p. 6 Thomas Cook has confirmed that all the UK companies in its group have ceased trading, including Thomas Cook Airlines. All holidays and flights provided by these companies have been cancelled and are no longer operating. Every Thomas Cook retail shops has also closed. Cabinetmaker and former Baptist preacher Thomas Cook founded the business in 1841 in Leicestershire, for local excursions. He was hoping to offer an alternative source of entertainment to drinking, and initially offered a 12mile trip from Leicester to Loughborough. But, 178 years later, the British tour operator has fallen victim to multiple setbacks including changing travel habits and the rise of online booking sites. It was also hit by the sinking pound and unusually hot weather which encouraged fewer Northern Europeans to travel, it adds. Court documents have also shown a balance sheet deficit of over £3billion. In a High Court witness statement, Peter Fankhauser, its now former chief executive, lists liabilities including £1.9 billion of debt and guarantees to organisations such as the Civil Aviation Authority, bonding providers and payment service providers, The Times reports. Analysts said Thomas Cook has been overtaken by online services like Airbnb and internet travel companies. “The environment in which Thomas Cook operated radically changed with the advent of budget air travel, online travel services and easy access to private accommodation through online platforms like Airbnb,” says Professor John Lennon, director of the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University. “The merger with Airtours and MyTravel Group left Thomas Cook with a major debt burden that became harder and harder to service. “Combined with increased competition and consumer uncertainty, weaker sterling as a result of Brexit and increasingly nervous lending organisations, it left limited possibilities for an alternative outcome.” The Financial Reporting Council said that it was considering “whether there is any case” for an investigation and enforcement action “as a matter of urgency”.
the cover story
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der had been granted to appoint an official receiver to liquidate the company. AlixPartners UK LLP or KPMG will be appointed as special manager for the different parts of the business.
Greece. Sebastian Ebel, the chief executive officer of Tui’s hotels and resorts, cruises and destination experiences, arriveds in Athens for talks with Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis, other government officials and tourism entities. His message was that Tui will try to support its partners as much as possible and fill in for its rival that brought some 2.8 million travelers a year to Greece. The speedy reaction by the German group shows it is intent on increasing its market share, although it is certain it cannot completely replace its British competitor. This will be one of the biggest problems for local hotels next season in terms of occupancy.
THE INDUSTRY The impact is already being felt further afield, with Australian travel group Webjet Ltd (WEB.AX) saying it was 27 million euros ($30 million) out of pocket and British online travel group On The Beach (OTB.L) saying it would suffer from helping its customers in resorts who had flown with Thomas Cook. The collapse could provide a boost, however, to major rival TUI (TUIGn. DE), whose shares surged more than 10% in early Monday trading, and to Europe’s overcrowded airline sector, which could benefit from the closure of Thomas Cook’s airline.
WHY DID IT COLLAPSE? Thomas Cook was brought low by a $2.1 billion debt pile that prevented it from responding to more nimble online competition. With debts built up around 10 years ago due to several ill-timed deals, it had to sell three million holidays a year just to cover its interest payments. As it struggled to pitch itself to a new generation of tourists, the company was hit by the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, one of its top destinations, and the 2018 Europe-wide heatwave which deterred customers from going abroad. Thomas Cook needed another 200 million pounds on top of a 900 million pound package it had already agreed, to see it through the winter months when it receives less cash and must pay hotels for summer services. The request for an additional 200 million pounds torpedoed the rescue deal that had been months in the making. Thomas Cook bosses met lenders and creditors in London on Sunday to try to thrash out a last-ditch deal to keep the company afloat. They failed. Under the original terms of the plan, top shareholder Fosun whose Chinese parent owns all-inclusive holiday firm Club Med - would have given 450 million pounds ($552 million) of money in return for at least 75% of the tour operator business and 25% of its airline. Thomas Cook’s lending banks and THE LIQUIDATION Thomas Cook said it had entered bondholders were to stump up a compulsory liquidation and an or- further 450 million pounds and
Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) will launch a special job support program so that affected businesses may not need to let workers go. Greek Ministries announce sup- Concerning a liquidity boost, the port measures for Thomas Cook relevant ministries announced a 6-month suspension of the VAT affiliate businesses in Greece The government’s measures for the payment deadline, and which apsupport of workers and businesses plies to companies with more than in Greece’s tourism industry affect- 25 pct of their turnover coming ed by the bankruptcy of industry gi- from Thomas Cook customers. ant Thomas Cook were announced, The Hellenic Development Bank after a three-hour inter-ministerial (HDB) is also reportedly working meeting of the Finance, Labor and out a support plan for companies affected by Thomas Cook’s shutDevelopment ministries. Concerning employees, it was an- down. nounced that the number of required insurance stamps for the Moody’s Says Thomas Cook Colpayment of unemployment bene- lapse May Take Toll on Greek fit is reduced from 100 to 80, while Banks said benefit will be paid out one Greek banks may be next to suffer the blow of the Thomas Cook extra month. These measures will apply to work- downfall, according to ratings ers who are prematurely fired by agency Moody’s, which said that companies affiliated with Thomas the impact on tourism revenues Cook, as per the ministerial an- and investments is bound to affect the country’s credit prospect. nouncement. At the same time, the Hellenic Besides Greece, the Moody’s report convert their existing debt to equity, giving them in total about 75% of the airline and up to 25% of the tour operator business.
goes on to note that the Thomas Cook folding will also have a negative impact on banks in Cyprus and Bulgaria. The Moody’s report warns that the situation may lead to business closures, particularly in view of the fact that Greek banks have already been struggling to deal with the pile-up of non-performing loans. According to the ratings agency, the exposure of Greek banks to hospitality and F&B businesses comes to 10.8 percent. Indicatively, according to Moody’s, Thomas Cook owes significant sums to hotels in Greece for holiday programs which ran in July and August as payments were made 60-90 days after travel. It goes on to underline that the bankruptcy of Britain’s oldest tour operator is likely to also have a domino effect on linked sectors such as transport and trade as well as on the labor market considering that tourism is among Greece’s largest employer. Looking ahead, Moody’s analysts
suggest the implementation of immediate relief measures, adding that affected businesses should look to replace Thomas Cook with alternative operators. According to reports, the UK travel giant occupied some 1,000 people in Greece, and brought some 3 million tourists to the country, or 9 percent of the total 44 million arrivals to Greece in 2018. Thomas Cook’s strongest presence was on the islands of Crete and Kos, working with 70 percent and 25 percent of the hotels there, respectively. Tui jumps in to fill Thomas Cook’s gap As the latest estimates regarding just how hard Greek hotels have been hit by the collapse of UK travel giant Thomas Cook are pointing to unpaid invoices of some 230 million euros, and the government is assessing its options in terms of response measures, the now-dominant European tour operator, Tui AG, sent one of its big bosses to
Estimated damage from Thomas Cook collapse could run to millions, hoteliers say Greek hotels are assessing the damage caused by the collapse of international travel agency Thomas Cook, tourism representatives said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA). “The closure of Thomas Cook is a very unpleasant development that requires a rapid and effective response,” the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) said. From Crete, where the mood is grim given the sheer number of hotels partnered with the international tour operator, the president of the Heraklion Hoteliers Association, Nikos Chalkiadakis, spoke of a huge blow to the island’s tourism sector. There are currently some 15,000 Thomas Cook customers from the UK on the island, but it is still unclear what will happen with the 60,000 Germans that also booked via the travel agency. “The financial losses for the hotels of Crete are estimated in the tens of millions,” Chalkiadakis stressed. As an example, he noted that the loss suffered by just one hotelier in Heraklion came to 650,000 euros when the bankruptcy was announced. Tourism officials on Rhodes and Kos are also deeply concerned, as the company sends thousands of tourists to the islands. More than 3,000 tourists have also been stranded on Corfu. On her part, the president of Kos Association, Konstantina Svinou, said that the impact on the island is significant since 25 percent of its tourism businesses work with Thomas Cook. On Crete, where 20,000 passengers are believed to have been ma-
rooned, tourism officials likened the company’s collapse to a massive earthquake that would reverberate through the economy. “It’s a seven-richter earthquake and we are expecting a tsunami,” said Michalis Vlatakis, president of Crete’s travel bureaux and travel agents. “It’s not only the contracts of the visitors who have come and are now lost, it’s all those contracts that won’t materialise because people who were expected to come up until 10 November simply won’t travel.” Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis gave Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis the first assessment of the impact of Thomas Cook’s collapse on the island’s businesses. The meeting followed Thomas Cook’s announcement on Monday that it was ceasing operations with immediate effect. According to reports, the financial impact expected for Crete, Thomas Cook’s biggest destination in Greece, adds up to 80-100 million euros, as 80 percent of Crete’s hotels had contracts with the UK tour operator. During his meeting with the minister, Governor Arnaoutakis discussed the major problem that have developed for the island’s professionals due to Thomas Cook’s collapse. On his part, Minister Theoharis informed on the government’s planning to address the immediate and long-term issues arising from the development. “We urge the government to make every effort to ensure that tourism professionals will have the least losses,” Governor Arnaoutakis said after the meeting. “Crete is an area that worked closely with this company and therefore there are several issues that need to be resolved immediately in order to have normality as is needed in all areas of the country that have be affected,” Minister Theoharis said. The minister underlined that the ministry is continuing its contacts with Greek hoteliers and tourism professionals affected by the financial collapse of Thomas Cook. “Our main concern is to deal with the impact and immediately resolve any issues that have arisen,” the minister said. with information from: - BBC - AMNA - The Sun - news.gtp.gr - eKathimerini - Reuters - The Guardian
news The holiday islands where locals have nowhere to live, due to AirBnB
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Colette Nolan fell in love with the island of Paros 28 years ago when she moved there from the UK with her Greek now-ex-husband. “All my grandchildren were born and raised here,” the 60-year-old says. “I love being by the sea and the laidback lifestyle.”
such as the Greek islands, which are home to intimate local communities year round, but see huge crowds arrive in summer for holidays.
The island of Paros has a permanent population of just 13,000, but its visitor numbers have grown recently: between But Nolan’s time on the pictur- 2014 and 2017, the number of esque Cycladic island – famed for overnight stays increased from its blue-and-white painted hous- 332,418 to 421,418. According es – may be about to come to an to data site Inside Airbnb, there end. are 2,435 listings on the island, Her landlord and landlady are 82.9% of which are entire homes asking her to leave the apartment or apartments. she has lived in for five years so they can rent part of the property Greece, in general, has a home on Airbnb. ownership rate of 74% – one of the highest in Europe. It is com“They’re an elderly couple and mon for middle class families to they stay in the apartment above own several properties, some of me for a month or two each sum- which they save for their children mer,” she explains. “They told me and rent out in the meantime. they want my apartment back because they are struggling with However, following Greece’s debt the stairs. But when I suggested I crisis, during which its economy move upstairs instead, they said shrank by 26%, many landlords their son wants to turn it into an have taken properties off the Airbnb.” long-term rental market in the hope they will make more money Two-bed apartments like No- from short-term lets. lan’s in her area of Paros average about 80 euros a night, versus Most renters have been asked Nolan’s 100-euro per month rent. to leave because the owners That makes earning potential for want to Airbnb. But there isn’t landlords much higher, especial- anywhere for them to go – Coly throughout the high season of lette Nolan June, July and August. For many families whose houseThis income disparity is one of hold incomes were battered the reasons that, although No- during the crisis, the ability to lan’s contract doesn’t end until take advantage of Greece’s tournext April, they are taking her to ism industry and make some excourt to force her out earlier. tra money through rental sites has provided a lifeline. She is struggling to find a new But for those likely to be living home. Nelson lives across the in rented accommodation – such road from her daughter, Kateri- as single or divorced people, stuna Bamboulis, and sees her every dents, seasonal workers or docday. tors and teachers in temporary However, if she can no longer af- postings – these platforms’ popford the cost of living, she says ularity is causing housing shortshe may need to return to the ages and pushing rents up. UK for better work opportunities, and leave these close ties behind. “It used to be easy [to find a house on Paros],” says Nolan. “Now, it Housing challenges like these are seems everyone’s looking. Most becoming increasingly common renters have been asked to leave in places where tourism is thriv- because the owners want to ing: the number of short-term Airbnb. But there isn’t anywhere rentals is eclipsing the number of for them to go.” places where locals can live. Nolan is used to paying her 100 ‘There isn’t anywhere for them euros a month rent, but the only to go’ comparable places now available Short-term holiday rentals have for long-term rent are at least 300 caused housing shortages and euros a month. rent increases in cities around “When you add bills on top the world. The impact has been [ofand ma Greece’s relatively exsignificant in many small places pensive utilities], it becomes a
lot,” she says. “And we don’t have a lot of money here. We work in the summer and then do whatever odd jobs we can in the winter … I work in a hotel, and in winter I teach a bit of English and do cleaning for people.” Nolan’s daughter Bamboulis finds the situation complicated, as she manages holiday villas on the island for a living, several of which are rented online. With her expertise, Bamboulis explains the perspective of the landlords on these holiday islands.
gether before finally settling for a one-bed on the outskirts of Corfu Town. She sleeps in the bedroom and her mum has the living room.
People either have to pay very expensive rent or live in Airbnbs themselves “I was living in a village, but I wanted to be in Corfu Town for work,” she says. She found prices for two-bedroom apartments had jumped from less than 200 euros a month five years ago to 500 euros or more. “We pay 350 euros [for our one-bedroom], which is “With Airbnb I can make 10,000 really cheap,” she says, adding euros in three months [of rental]. that they found the apartment I pay 2,000 euros tax, 2,000 euros through a family friend, which is for cleaners and damages and am “the only way” for locals to find left with 6,000 euros. If there’s a living arrangements now. problem with the guests, Airbnb comes straight in and helps,” she Although living in such a tight says. In contrast, if she were to space is “not the best”, Nikoleta rent that same house as a long- says it hasn’t impacted the reterm rental, she’d comparatively lationship with her mother too make 10,000 euros a year, pay much because they aren’t view3,000 in tax and 3,000 in dam- ing the set-up as long-term; Niages – a total of 4,000 euros net. koleta is moving to Athens to “And if I have a [tenant] problem I start a master’s, and her mum will can’t get them out. So, this is why stay in the apartment. a lot of people don’t want to do long-term rental.” On other islands, anger at the situation is growing. George Tzimas, Along with the lower taxes and 28, an architectural student at maintenance costs that land- the University of Crete in Chania, lords receive for short-term hol- says that students feel discouriday rentals, Bamboulis says that aged from applying to the unimany landlords favour Airbnb versity because of the housing over working independently, shortage. “People either have to since the platform provides land- pay very expensive rent or live in lords more support than Greece’s Airbnbs themselves,” he says. own legal system. Tzimas and other activists have Bamboulis understands that been organising marches along landlords have more earning po- Chania’s Old Venetian Harbour tential in short-term rentals, but – a spot popular with tourists. also believes that what is hap- “People who live on the island pening to her mother is unfair. already know there’s a problem, “If the Greek state supported so we want the visitors to see. We long-term rentals the way it does want them to know that we want short-term, we wouldn’t have to have our own lives here and it this problem.” not just be a place for tourists. We do not even have a public park.” ‘We have our own lives here’ On the other side of the coun- Throughout the country, people try, on the Ionian island of Cor- are wondering whether Greece’s fu, a similar situation is playing overall falling visitor numbers out. Corfu is larger than Paros – might dampen the Airbnb gold 102,000 people live here all year rush – airports around the counround – and the island also has a try have recorded a 1.5% drop on university. But the prevalence of average so far this year, and arrivshort-term holiday rentals in the als at Chania are down 5.6%. main town has led to students having to live in hotels, and local “There might be a lot of disappeople struggling to find suit- pointed Airbnb owners who deable housing. cide it’s less trouble to get someone in for a year,” says Nolan. “At Nikoleta Pandi, 30, says that she least, that’s what we’re hoping.” and her mother spent two years trying to find an apartment to- BBC
news Construction approved for ultra-luxury resort’s marina in Elounda
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Another major tourism project in Greece will be getting underway in about one year’s time, as the construction of the ultra-luxurious 600-million-euro Elounda Hills project in eastern Crete has taken another step toward becoming a reality, according to greekreporter.com. The approval for the construction of the resort’s massive marina, with a total cost of 20 million euros, has just been issued by the municipali-
ty of Aghios Nikolaos on Crete. The marina is expected to occupy approximately 43,000 square meters (462,848 square feet) of land and 123,000 square meters (1,323,960 square feet) atop the seabed. The state-of-the-art facility, which is only part of the vast tourism complex planned by Vitaly Borisov, a Russian property investor, will be able to accommodate up to 202 luxury yachts.
Elounda Hills is set to become one of the top luxury resorts in all of Europe, providing the highest-possible level of comfort and quality services to its guests in one of the most spectacular natural settings imaginable. Situated on the shores of Crete’s Mirabello Bay, the resort will offer breathtaking, panoramic views over the bay and nearby islands and mountains. The luxury resort will utilize the
latest trends in environmental and economic sustainability, innovation, and technology. The most complete array of amenities will make family getaways and luxury stays possible and comfortable during all year. The project’s development is programmed to occur over several phases, based on forecasted market absorption, and is strategically planned to avoid any disturbance any existing construction.
PM met governors of Greek regions, inaugurating regular bimonthly meetings Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired a meeting with the governors of the 13 regional authorities in Greece, inaugurating the holding of regular bimonthly meetings to improve cooperation between regional authorities and central government. The key items on the agenda were regional growth and social cohesion. Speaking at the start of the meeting, the prime minister said the goal was for the meeting to become established as an institution and to discuss specific issues relating to the best possible cooperation of central government with the regions, noting that the initiative was among his pre-election pledges. He noted that the ministers of the interior, development, state and several of the government staff will be sitting in on the first meeting to outline the way in which these meetings should work going forward and set out a specific agenda on the basic goals concerning regional development policy. Mitsotakis raised three main issues that needed to be addressed, the first of which was cooperation to draw up a national policy on issues
of regional growth. “We have with us the development and investments minister, we will have with us the secretary-generals responsible for implementing the NSRF, in order to see how we can accelerate the financing processes that concern the regions,” Mitsotakis said, noting that the sums involved came to 5.6 billion euros . “It is crucial that there are no delays in implementing the NSRF,” he added, and that these policies were in step with central development policy. The second key issue was social cohesion, where he said that regions had an important role to play. Mitsotakis pointed out that the central theme at this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) will be “Growth for all. No one left behind.”
The regions were extremely important for ensuring that all Greeks could benefit from the wealth created and to support those that were weakest. The third issue raised by the prime minister was a draft bill on multi-level governance, noting that this was a “bold institutional reform that will make clear the boundaries of responsibility between central government, decentralised regions, regional administration and primary-level local government.” This would reduce bureaucracy and allow the regions to focus on their core mission, while allowing central government to plan and implement policies, know exactly what every level of government
was supposed and empowered to do. The prime minister said that the central liaison linking the regions with the prime minister’s office will be the head of the government’s coordination secretariat, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos. “I hope that this will be an interactive process that will finally allow us to focus on what is most important: on providing solutions to the problems of the citizens and generating measurable results,” Mitsotakis added. The governors, on their part, presented the problems and challenges they face, as well as their immediate priorities in each region. They noted that their meeting with the prime minister, just days after taking over their new duties, was extremely important. Those attending included Development and Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis, Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos, Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis, Deputy Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios and Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister in charge of coordinating the government’s work, Akis Skertsos.
Tourism Among Greece’s Top Job Creators Greek tourism services providers in accommodation and F&B accounted for 10.6 percent of all employment for the July-September 2018 period up from 7.7 percent in 2009, according to a report released this week by SETE Intelligence (INSETE), the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) research department. According to INSETE’s study on employment in tourism from 2009 to 2018, tourism services providers in accommodation and F&B accounted for 411,1 thousand employees, the highest Q3
figure since 2017 at 398,7 thousand. Employment in these tourism-related areas increased over the 2009- 2018 period at an average annual rate of 1.3 percent – picking up pace from 2014 onward (+5 percent) due to the expansion and increased competitiveness of the Greek tourism product, the study found. The majority – at 37.4 percent – of those employed in tourism in Q3 2018 were in the 30-44 age bracket, with the sector accounting for a considerable percentage of young people and women.
More specifically, from 2009 to 2018, the number of people employed aged 25 to 29 in July-September 2018 increased from 15.5 percent to 17.2 percent with those in the 45-64 year bracket up to 32 percent from 27.9 percent. In terms of destinations as top tourism job providers in 2018, the region of Atticawas in the lead accounting for 27.1 percent of the work force, followed by Central Macedonia (12.9 percent), Crete (10.7 percent), the South Aegean (9.7 percent), and the Ionian Islands (6.2 percent).
With regard to employment in accommodation, the regions of Crete (21.4 percent) and the South Aegean (20.8 percent) held the highest shares, while Attica (31.7 percent) and Central Macedonia (14.3 percent) accounted for more jobs in F&B services. In May INSETE study, analysts found that the Greek tourism industry’s direct contribution to the country’s GDP came to 21.6 billion euros or 11.7 percent, attracting 5 billion euros worth of investments and employing overall up to 44 percent of the workforce in 2018.
news
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Parliament ratifies hydrocarbon concessions off Crete and in the Ionian Sea region Parties ratified the contracts for hydrocarbon exploration in four areas, off Crete and Ionian Sea region, in the Greek parliament. Voting for the concessions were MPs of ruling New Democracy, KINAL and Greek Solution, while the main opposition SYRIZA expressed reservations. The Communist Party and MeRA25 voted against them. The contracts include the sea area designated ‘Ionio’ (Spain-based consortium Repsol Exploracion/ Hellenic Petroleum or HELPE); ‘Block 10 Ionian Sea’ in the Gulf of Kyparissia, SW Peloponnese
(HELPE); and the maritime areas ‘West of Crete’ and ‘Southwest of Crete’ (consortium of Total, ExxonMobil and HELPE). Provisions of the contracts for the Cretan and Ionian beds include an 8-year limit on exploration, and a 25-year limit on exploitation. If hydrocarbons are found, the state stands to gain 40 pct of the total investment revenues, broken down as follows: 20 pct as income tax plus 5 pct as regional tax, with the rest being income on royalties based on a rising scale linked to hydrocarbon volume. In addition, the contracts include
strict regulations on environmental protection and reduction of environmental threats at both exploration and exploitation stages. Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Gerassimos Thomas acknowledged that the SYRIZA government had negotiated the contracts, and the current government “recognizes that provisions of Greek and EU legislation have been fulfilled.” He added that environmental issues will be constantly monitored, while every monitoring ship will include observers on board who will be able to intervene when necessary.
In memory of... Members of the NSA Souda Bay community gathered for a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony to remember the lives lost on 9/11.
During the ceremony community members laid wreaths, shared their memories of 9/11, read the poem “That Day” by Billy Nardozzi and observed a moment of silence.
Syriza rapporteur Sokratis Famellos said that his party expressed reservations because the government has already expressed its intention to give up the state’s stake in the projects, and therefore of public interest, as expressed through HELPE. “If this is confirmed, then it will constitute a decision to sell off natural resources and hydrocarbon opportunities, and act as a waiver of the environmental obligations Greece has assumed.” This selloff, he said, “is done directly through the private sector, without any tenders and with loss to public revenue.”
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culture Excavators find archive room at Zominthos palace complex on Crete
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The archives of the palace of Zominthos on the plateau of Mount Psiloritis on Crete were discovered at the sprawling site during this year’s excavation season, the Ministry of Culture. The archives area is identified on the basis of a clay tablet in the hieroglyphics of Linear A, which lists 217 three-footed vessels. “The tablet looks like a ledger, definitely comprising a list of objects,” which it said points to the fact the palace complex was well organized, the ministry said in a statement. Supporting evidence for the area being used for the archives includes its location and other circumstantial evidence. Besides the multitude of vessels found throughout the site, discoveries included a hallway with pillars leading to a possible throne room. The remains of a seat were found
in the latter room, with uses from earlier periods recorded as well (Protopalatial period, 1900 BC to Mycenaean times, ca. 1400 BC). The remnants of clay pipes from a sophisticated drainage system were also discovered, as were an area of obsidian carving, and another area by the north facade of the main building – joined to it –
led to extensive changes, including the creation of a ramp. This season’s excavations were supervised by Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, who began excavating the area with her late husband Yiannis Sakellarakis. This season’s results confirmed the existence of an older building under the current complex which is built in the Neopalatial period (1700-1600 BC). “This year’s excavations focused on examining the area around the central palatial building and yieldthat contained hundreds of clay ed a lot new facts. A basic one is vessels, including rhyta, the char- the confirmation that there was acteristic Cretan vessels used in an older building under that of the rituals. Neopalatial period that was foundAccording to research scientists, ed on the rock outcrop, occupied a the whole area provides evidence larger area and contained a major of extensive metalwork carried out number of this period,” the ministry in workshops in the complex. said. In addition, the ministry said, an earthquake in the Neopalatial era AMNA
British philhellene’s former home ready for new life All of us hope to lead one good life. The fortunate seem to pack enough into their time to live twice over. But Sir Patrick (known in English as “Paddy”) Leigh Fermor led three full lives. As a young man he undertook an epic walk from Holland to Istanbul, having adventures, falling in love with penurious countesses, and creating a considerable personal legend. During the Second World War he was an agent in the Special Operations Executive, aiding the Resistance in the mountains of Crete. And in the post-war years, he become one of the greatest English traveler-writers of the 20th century. Opinions differ about which is his greatest work, but “Mani” (1958) and “Roumeli” (1966) have had the greatest impression on me. Since his death, Leigh Fermor’s life and works continue to expand. Two new volumes of his letters are in print, his account of the kidnap of General Kreipe has been published, Artemis Cooper’s compelling biography attracted considerable attention, and the Benaki Museum issued a worthy homage to the writer in 2017. But there has been considerable interest too in Leigh Fermor’s material legacy. In 1996, Paddy and his wife Joan agreed to leave their house to the Benaki Museum. The property, built at a place called Kalamitsi near Kardamyli in the Mani, would become a writers’ retreat after their deaths. Paddy died in 2011 (Joan predeceased him),
and the bequest materialized at a difficult time for Greece, with the economic crisis in full swing. It posed the Benaki Museum a big challenge. The building of the house began in 1964 and it had scarcely been modernized since. I visited it in 2015 and saw how much work would be needed to make the house function for its new purpose. The roofs, windows, doors, shutters, bathrooms, kitchen and electrics all needed renovation. There was no air-conditioning or Wi-Fi. Thousands of books had to be catalogued, works of art conserved, security improved. All of this promised a big and costly undertaking. Thanks to the Benaki Museum, a large grant was secured in 2016 from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The work began at once and was completed several months ago. I had the privilege of spending time at the house this summer and saw the completed restoration with my own eyes. It is magnificent: It has been done to the highest of specifications but has also preserved the authenticity of the original designs. The house is now ready for its new life as an educational center, but still feels like a home. The house is built in an olive grove, overlooking the Messenian Gulf; behind it looms Mount Taygetos. The plot is uneven: On one side a precipitous cliff encloses a small bay, on the other the land tumbles down in terraces to a
beach, which can also be reached via a public dirt-track. The main property consists of the house itself and the writer’s studio, set a few yards apart. On its principal level, the house is surrounded by a huge terrace, covered in terracotta tiles and interspersed with pebble mosaics. Into the terrace are sunk separate areas for seating, each formed around a stone table. From the terrace, the house looks like a single-story property. But in fact it spills over the terrace edge to enclose a lower level. The house reveals itself only from within. It is unique: neither Maniat nor English, but the product of the imagination of the Leigh Fermors and their architect, Nikos Hatzimichalis. A barrel-vaulted vestibule leads into the heart of the house: an open arcaded gallery of stone, which resembles a medieval cloister and unites four suites of rooms. The most magnificent is the enormous salon: the principal seating and dining area of the house. Its floor is made of green stone from Pelion, its ceiling is a fretwork of honey-colored pine. At one end is a beautiful Turkish hayiati with divan set around it. At the other end, the divan is warmed in winter by a stone fireplace, in Persian style. Into all the walls are set bookcases, each full of books. Also on this level are the two main bedroom suites and the kitchen. In the basement there is more accommodation.
Across from the main house is the studio that Paddy completed in 1969. It too is built of stone, with a pergola on the roof-terrace. The center of the study is the writing desk, around which are arranged the reference books, histories and literature that disciplined the author’s imagination. You feel his presence here. To me the house has a split personality. On the one hand, it is wonderfully gregarious. It cries out for guests, for good company, for human conversation, for laughter. But it is also a place for study and for intellectual pursuits. Almost every room has spaces where you can sit down and quietly read and write, and the same is true outside. It will be perfect for a community of writers. This is a glorious house – a unique expression of Anglo-Hellenism, built by two unique philhellenes – and it was a great honor to be the guest of the Benaki Museum. The president of Greece will formally reopen the house in October. The writers arrive next year. I wish them every inspiration and congratulate the Benaki Museum and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for a magnificent restoration job. Thanks to them, Paddy and Joan’s memory and their love of Greece live on. Their legend will continue to grow. Dr John Kittmer is chair of the Anglo-Hellenic League and has also served as Britain’s ambassador to Greece. eKathimerini.com
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culture Nikos Georgopoulos “From Abstraction to Representation”
When looking at Nikos Georgopoulos’ works of art and engaging with the various expressions and different subjects he developed during his short life, the observer wonders, justifiably in my opinion, about what is the common place that connects them all, what is the shared component that goes across the seemingly diverse pursuits, if it isn’t a pure interest in painting. That kind of interest the Art must serve, along with its thematic significance. The artistic journey of Nikos Georgopoulos took the path in reverse, starting from abstraction and not representation as it usually happens. However, his abstract compositions maintain the links with the real-world and the forms, surfaces or traces of worn-out objects are always implied. These compositions are studies on texture and materiality of objects, where the painter experiments with various materials on paper aiming at conveying a tactile sensation as much as possible. This can be observed in those seemingly non-representational works which if closely looked at, they start to reveal traces of old worn walls, with apparent scars by time and natural elements, or maybe some old wooden door bearing the texture of rotten wood, or the view of the seabed when looked from above. After his first abstractive period, his art takes an unexpected turn, both in terms of subject and technique, by depicting landscapes evoking a Neo-Impressionist mood, high sensitivity and lyricism. These works by Nikos Georgopoulos approach the beauty and the truth of nature through colour and light. This is achieved by the depiction of the impression of objects and not by their detailed representation. They maintain all that freshness of a fleeting glance at nature and painting * en plein air. It could be argued that the works of this period maintain an affinity with the works of the Greek painter Spyros Papaloukas, whom he admired. The series of landscapes is followed by a series of small-scale, mixed-art projects that depict marine patterns and other natural elements with tactile texture (fish, bees, etc.), which come across as fossils. Works which despite their detailed depiction, end up being abstract. He returns to the image with a long series of very realistically depicted mechanical inventions. In this series of oil paintings, he deploys all his drawing skills, with the thorough depiction of the even tini-
est components of a machine, like gears, screws, wheels, springs, etc. What is the purpose of these machines? Are they a sign of concern about the technological evolution of our times? Or are they an echo of the futuristic movement of the early 20th century in our era? In the first hypothesis, the artist does not appear to have such intentions. As to the second one, the history of art has taught us that futurism envisioned the future and the technological achievements, the triumph of man over nature, praising power and speed. To the contrary, the mechanical inventions of Georgopoulos seem to have travelled through time from the early days of the in-
This exhibition of the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania aims at honouring the memory of this modest artist who chose to live and create in our town. His entire work lets us wonder for what he could further achieve, if he didn’t perish so young. *En plein air or plein air painting is the act of painting outdoors. The term was used by the Impressionists to describe the method of depicting a landscape by painting it outdoors. This method contrasts with the up to then prevailing tendency of studio painting. Curriculum Vitae
collections in Greece and abroad. OPENING SPEECH BY P. SIMANDIRAKIS, MAYOR OF CHANIA The Municipality of Chania presents with great pleasure to the art audience the painting exhibition of the late artist Nikos Georgopoulos, an artist who chose to live and create in our town. This exhibition is a minimal tribute on behalf of the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania in memory of the artist, both for his artistic work and for his contribution to the education and aesthetic perception of our youth. The work of Nikos Georgopoulos follows a peculiar morphological wander between abstraction and representation, in reverse compared to usual practices that have been established over the years. His entire art is governed by the same seriousness with which he deals with the morphology of his work, whether abstract or representational. We are therefore called upon to approach its deepest message through this very perspective. Being certain that this exhibition will also provide plenty food for thought, I invite the citizens of Chania, who have embraced our Municipal Gallery, to enjoy it. WELCOME SPEECH BY G. GIANNAKAKIS, DEPUTY MAYOR OF CULTURE
dustrial era to this day. So, we conclude to assume that his approach is purely romantic, mainly based on aesthetic criteria. It seems to be a thematic pretext, like painting still life and that is how we accept it. These works have a humble range of colours and tones that are similar to the materials a machine consists of, like iron, metal and glass. At the same time, he introduces the notion of symbol, which makes his compositions, to some extent, surrealistic. His painting cycle is enriched and completed by a series of acrylic, vibrant and rich in detail painted fish. The pattern of fish is encountered in most periods of his painting art, either as a simple representation, or as an abstract imprint, or even as a surrealistic symbol in his mechanical inventions.
The careful study and observation of the natural landscape, combined with an in-depth knowledge of the elements of everyday life and the matter surrounding us, were the priority and, as one could also say, Nikos Georgopoulos’ special talent. Thus, we see him wandering from abstraction to representation, but without virtually abandoning the form which he likes to seek and accurately represent even to its slightest detail. This way he remains a lover of reality, with a cohesive personality and consistency in the execution of his work. I would like to thank the art historian, Vasso Petroulaki, for curating the exhibition and the painter’s wife, Pagona Xenaki, painter, for kindly donating the works to the exhibition. I invite the art-loving citizens and guests to pay a visit and enjoy this important exhibition, hosted at our Municipal Art Gallery.
Nikos Georgopoulos was born in Athens in 1954. He studied painting at the School of Fine Arts from 1975 till 1980, initially under Yiorgos Mavroidis and later on under Panayiotis Tetsis, receiving a praise and a scholarship from the workshop of the latter. At the same time he attended a sculpture course at the workshop of Thymios Panourgias. In 1982, already married to Pagona Xenakis, a painter from Chania, whom he met during their studies, he became a permanent resident of Chania. In Chania, along with painting, he also worked as an art teacher in secondary education. He passed away in Chania in 2003, at the early age of 49. He held many solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions in Athens, Duration: Chania, Heraklion and Rethymnon. Until November 2, 2019 His works can be found in private Curator: Vaso Petroulaki
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environment Impact of climate change on water resources Crete
The rapid development of Crete since 1980 has exerted strong pressures on many natural resources. Due to urbanization and the growth of agriculture and tourism industry, water demand has substantially increased by over 55% during the period 1985 - 2000. However, any arising water stress issue will be due to poor extraction or retention technology rather than actual availability. The current annual water balance of Crete breaks down to 68–76%
evapotranspiration, 14–17% infiltration and 10–15% runoff. Total water use in 2000 amounted to approximately 5.5% of the precipitation of a normal year and 16% of the total water potential. An average of 65% of the total water use is supplied by groundwater exploitation while the remaining 35% is obtained from winter spring and stream discharges. Of this, 16% is used for domestic, tourist, and industrial uses, 3% for livestock and a vast 81% for irrigated agriculture.
Democracy and Climate Change Brexit. What a word to begin an article on Climate Change! I, probably like you, hate political leaders who lie, persuade much of the electorate that things are different to reality and are extremely rude to other leaders. Most readers will have recently seen banners in the UK with comments about the betrayal or death of democracy. Democracy has its etymological roots in Greek and originated here. But in many circumstances there are major flaws with democracy. Many people in the UK are saying that they were deliberately misled prior to the referendum and now that they know what the EU brings to the UK they are angry (for democracy to work, people with a vote need to know the full truth and the implications of their votes). But for me the most important factor is how Brexit, assuming it takes place, will affect the future for the next generation. Educated youngsters, today, are communicating, working and socialising continually with others all over Europe. This is a far cry from the situation 80 years ago. So is it right that an aged person with say 2 years to live and wants to take the UK out of Europe should be determining the future of 20 year-olds who have to live many decades with the consequences of the result? It is this last thought that is important for major decisions for this planet. There are still 3 months of 2019 to pass, as I write this. Yet already we have had record heat, rain, wind, flooding, drought etc. all over the world as well as record numbers of people killed by the effects of the changes in climate.
Over 5,000 deaths in France this year have been attributed to the heat. I am sure residents will not have forgotten the record rain last winter - per month, per day per hour - and the huge damage caused. It is not only the environment that has been affected this year; Japan has started commercial whaling. Another sad year for our planet and its future! ‘Economy before Environment’ has been used by the Presidents of the USA and Brazil. Rephrased this can be written as ‘Selfish Greed before the future of our children and their Home’. Ecology students learn very early in their undergraduate courses about ecological energetics and the importance of tropical rainforests in Primary Production and soon after about the vast biodiversity created by that Production. At last, many people understand that the rainforests are the ‘lungs of our planet’. During some of my early Nature talks over 30 years ago I would detail the huge amount of rainforest lost each minute, day and year. The problem has continued regularly until recently. Since the new leader of Brazil was elected, huge areas of Amazonia are being destroyed more rapidly. The wildfires, most, if not all, started deliberately, have destroyed vast areas as, no doubt, you will have seen on the news bulletins. And that means world weather and climate records of this year are going to be exceeded next year and following years with more human deaths, destruction of property and the environment. The burnt ground will be used mainly for cattle ranching and
The impact of climate change on the water resources status for the island of Crete has been assessed for a range of 24 different scenarios from a combination of projected hydro-climatological regimes, demand and supply potentials. Overall, a robust signal of water insufficiency is projected for all the combinations of emission, demand and infrastructure scenarios, with the estimated deficit ranging from 10% to 74%. According to these results, local water management planning and
sports
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NSA Souda Bay EcoChallenge 2019
adaptation strategies need to be improved and updated in order to attain future water security. Priority should not only be given to the increase of irrigated areas but also to promoting a more sustainable irrigation practice for existing and new agricultural land. Besides, strategies of adaptation to consider should include wastewater recycling and reuse that are estimated to lead to water savings of up to 5% of the total irrigation water of Crete.
“Life is better alive” – Sonata Arctica
will be sterile in about 7 to 10 years. I studied ecology and ethology to understand Nature and the world. Sometimes I think that I should not have done so as I could hide behind innocence and not get distressed about the lack of consideration for Earth and its inhabitants (humans, plants and animals). I started by mentioning the Brexit referendum and its ‘hidden’ problems. I suspect you may now recognise the link between that and climate change. This world has been partly (perhaps greatly is a better adverb) destroyed in one to two generations but these generations now know about the damage they have caused and what should be done to alleviate the problems. But, it is the children that will have to live with the consequences of ‘our’ activities. We should admire Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish girl afflicted by a medical condition that has been ridiculed by some senior politicians. She has managed to rally youngsters all over the world to show their contempt at the lack of effort being made by governments to deal with the serious problem. I note that the TUC (Trades Union Council) in the UK and Amnesty International have shown support for striking students and the TUC is considering ways to assist the students. Jake Woodier, of the UK Student Climate Network, which is helping to organise the UK strikes, said: “The effects of climate breakdown are already being felt across the world, predominantly by those that have contributed least to the crisis, yet our leaders
by David Capon
have historically failed to act”. A very accurate statement. Trump has said that he is trying to ensure the world is a safe place by isolating countries such as Iran and North Korea. The destruction of Amazonia is far more worrying for the future than Trump’s thoughts. But what can we do? suggest that we give full support behind the future guardians of this planet in their efforts to get immediate and universal action to initially control and then start to reverse the situation. Beef cattle are inefficient food sources and cause huge environmental damage. So perhaps we should look to remove, but definitely reduce, our reliance on beef, especially if from countries where rainforests are being destroyed. Any wood from tropical and sub-tropical rainforests should be boycotted. Also should each of us consider our carbon footprint and consider ways to reduce it? There will be important elections in the USA next year and perhaps in the UK very soon: should we be looking at honest commitments to climate change as the most pertinent factor in determining our votes? At the beginning of the article I used a short phrase from a song by the fine Finnish band Sonata Arctica. The full lyric excerpt actually reads “It is a dumb thing to say, But the fact won’t wane away, Life is better alive”. The rate at which this planet is being destroyed human life will continue for quite some time but will those humans feel or be alive? Life is Better Alive!
U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, hosted its 18th Eco-Challenge, an annual outdoor sports competition that builds camaraderie and strengthens the U.S. relationship with NATO and Hellenic military partners. Ten teams accepted this year’s challenge, with athletes from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, British Royal Air Force, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, NATO Missile Firing Installation, and NATO Maritime Interdiction Training Center competing Sept. 7. Individuals from each five-member team participated in one of five events held across Crete’s Akrotiri Peninsula, which is home to NSA Souda Bay: the 10.4-kilometer hike, 14.5-kilometer run, 38.5-kilometer bike, 4.3-kilometer kayak, or 2,000-meter swim. Byron Gale, NSA Souda Bay’s fitness center director, said the spirit of the event is not just about winning,
but also is about bringing people together. “It’s about the teamwork of five people completing events together — events that maybe they didn’t believe they could do before, but their team gives them the encouragement to finish,” he said. “And it’s about Team Souda, our host-nation military, and our local community working behind the scenes to make it happen, which is special to watch.” The athletes were not the only participants relying on teamwork for a safe and successful outcome. Partner organizations such as the Hellenic Air Force, Hellenic Navy and NATO Missile Firing Installation provided ambulances, doctors and rescue divers. The Hellenic Police stopped traffic and provided escort vehicles during the bike and run events, while the local Hellenic Navy emergency room had doctors standing by to assist. The fitness center staff took care of the athletes’ health and safety lead-
ing up to the event by providing workout routines designed specifically for each event and riding the routes with the participants. During the event, they provided drinks, food, and energy gel at each station. NSA Souda Bay Commanding Officer Navy Capt. Ryan T. Tewell tackled the bike portion of the challenge. He noted the event is about more than just the competition between the military organizations on Crete. “It’s a symbol of the cooperation and the coordination that happens every single day here on the Akrotiri Peninsula between the Hellenic Navy, the Hellenic Air Force, two NATO organizations and NSA Souda Bay,” Tewell said. “It’s one of my favorite things every year, and I am honored to participate.” Team Results: 1. Service members of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre. Time: 4:47:41
2. Service members of the 115th Combat Wing, Hellenic Air Force. Time: 4:51:52 3. Service members of the Hellenic Naval Base in Souda. Time: 5:05:01 Individual Athlete Awards: 14.5km Run: Michael McCarroll (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Souda Striders). Time: 1:03:05 4.3km Kayak: Dan Shirley (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Souda Striders). Time: 0:28:072000m 2000m Swim: Konstantinos Tsopanikos (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Fire Department). Time: 0:28:21 38.5 km Cycling: Ioannis Zentelis, service member of 115th Combat Wing. Time: 1:14:09 10.4km Hiking: Ioannis Belesis, service member of NMIOTC. Time: 1:04:09 Outstanding Achievement Award: Jeremy Lim (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Souda Crab Meat). Times: 14.5km Run: 1:16:52, 2000m Swim: 0:32:29
plants & gardening
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“En Kipo Sea View”... Your wedding dreams are coming alive! Selecting a wedding venue is one of the first (and biggest) decisions you’ll make as an engaged couple — it will influence your vendors, budget, décor, and even attire. But now, you have just found your iconic place in Chania. It is considered as the best wedding venue...
a special place where all your wedding dreams can come true. Welcome to “En Kipo Sea View “, the new project from Thrassivoulos Bolakis and his wife Helen. Everyone has their own idea about their dream wedding. For some, celebrating one of the joyous moment in their life should
be done under no roof and close to the nature. Amazingly, there are several great choices of outdoor with garden wedding venues in Chania. But “En Kipo Sea View” is something really special! Experience the magic of breathtaking view to Thodorou island for
your wedding ceremony beneath the stars, overlooking from Stalos to Kolimbari vibrant cityscape. Appointed with fairy lights, hanging lanterns and flickering candles, “En Kipo Sea View” is the most romantic outdoor venue. We are waiting for you, we are waiting for the best day of your life!
24 Hour Guarded Parking
Car Wash
A. ENTRANCE & EXIT 9-11, Grigoriou 5th str. (Kolokotroni Square) B. ENTRANCE & EXIT Markou Botsari str.(opp. old cinema “Apollon”) Tel:+3028210 86066 - Fax:+3028210 86076
pets & vets
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Do dogs need more food in winter and fall? Fall is here and winter is approaching. Do you plan to feed your dog the same amount of food as you did this spring and summer? Why? Do you plan to feed the same food? Why? Is your dog as active in the winter months when the temperatures are low and the daylight limited? Is your dog housed outdoors in the winter cold? Why are these questions important? Dogs need the same seasonal adjustments in their food amounts as we do with seasonal changes. If housed outdoors during the winter, they may also need a different food. How Cold Temperatures Affect Weight As temperatures fall, owners are less inclined to exercise their dogs due to their own discomfort in the colder weather. Less exercise means less calorie expenditure. When dogs are expending fewer calories they need less dietary calories and less food. Continuing to feed the same amount of food will result in “winter weight gain” that is unhealthy. But what about the dog that is housed outdoors during the cold winter months? A key biological imperative of all animals and humans is to maintain a constant core body temperature. Shivering is a means of doing that. But shivering uses large amount of calories. Even non-shivering calorie expenditure increases in the cold. Fat deposits and fur density help insulate and decrease the calorie expenditure
of shivering. Also, active animals and those acclimatized to the cold are better protected from the bitterness of cold. Studies suggest that dogs subject to low temperature exposure need two to three times the normal calories as they need at a more moderate temperature. The increase in calories leads to more fat accumulation and insulation and decreases or compensates for the amount of calorie loss from shivering and non-shivering. Without the extra calories these pets actually lose weight. Pets subjected to cold also have an altered metabolism. They use fat preferentially to glucose for metabolism. Dogs housed outside in the winter need more dietary fat. This may mean changing from their present dog food to a food higher in fat.
daylight. Less exercise means less calorie expenditure. The quantity of food needs to be decreased. But the shortening of daylight hours causes other change in your dog’s metabolism. Shorter days signal to the dog brain that winter is coming. This sets off hormonal changes to slow metabolism and conserve calorie expenditure. These changes also promote the deposition of fat. This phenomenon is a result of a genetic adaptation called the “thrifty gene.” The thrifty gene prepares the dog for the harsh winter and allows for normal performance in harsh conditions. For dogs housed inside, this genetic adaptation is disadvantageous to their health. Inside dogs are not subject to the harshness of winter. A decreased metabolism will mean they gain weight if fed the same as other times of the year. Dogs How Less Daylight Affects Weight protected from the harshness of Decreasing daylight means less winter need less food to compenopportunity to exercise and has sate for this hormonal metabolic the same effect as lowered tem- change. peratures. Owners are more reluctant to provide the same level of How to Feed Dogs During the exercise as when there was more Winter
Dogs (and cats) should be fed to their Body Condition Score, or BCS,year around. The BCS is an observational assessment of a pet’s fitness. The system has been proven to correlate with the most sophisticated X-ray technology for determining the percent body fat of pets. A dog or cat should be fed to maintain a perfect 4-5/9 BCS. These dogs have a nice hour-glass waist line when looking from above, a tight tummy tuck when looking form the side, and ribs that cannot be seen but can be felt. Dogs that are 1-3/9 are too thin and those 6-9/ are too heavy. The recommendations that follow for feeding dogs during seasonal changes only apply to fit dogs. Any dog or cat with a BCS equal to or greater than 6/9 needs a supervised weight loss program no matter what the season. If your dog progresses from a 4-5/9 to a 6/9 during the winter, then reduce the amount you feed by 10 percent. Continue the reduction in 10 percent increments until your dog is back to a 4-5/9. If your dog slips to a 3/9 then increase feed in 10 precent increments until he/she is back to a 4-5/9. Make the appropriate changes and feed to maintain that perfect BCS. My motto is “score a four and live some more” and is based on research that has confirmed that dogs kept in a fit condition their whole life live almost two years longer than their overweight littermates. Embrace changes in seasons. Feed your dog differently as needed. Use the BCS.