Positions on issues that concern Santorini were made in the discussion that followed the screening of the film “Aegean Voice” at Cine Villagio on the evening of Friday, May 31, organized by the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture, the president and former president of the Santorini Hoteliers Association, Mr. Pagonis and Mr. Iliopoulos.
In his statement, Mr. Pagonis said, among other things, that the Santorini Hoteliers Association had submitted its proposals for the Special Spatial Plan of Santorini, noting the need for its completion after three decades when its planning began, as well as that the Presidential decrees should be implemented in order to protect the island. He noted that the film showed the island’s landfill full in 2004, while today 20 years later, the waste continues to be buried in the same place in the same way.
In his statement, the former president of the Hoteliers Association, Mr. Iliopoulos, said that unfortunately in the last 20 years not everything that should have been done to protect and shield it at every level of the island, reaching today to emit “the diamond of the crown of Greek tourism” as he characterized Santorini, danger signals, literally.
Specifically, Mr. Iliopoulos said that unfortunately in the last twenty years procrastination, irresponsibility, incompetence, lack of controls and knowledge as well as awareness of what is happening collectively and where the island is headed, with the private sector making leaps and the public sector being left helpless behind.
Regarding the measures provided for in the recent Joint Ministerial Decision, he expressed his objections to the public-visible updates on the landslide hazard, noting that measures should have been taken and actions taken to avoid and rid Santorini of these risks.
At the same time, he said that the measures discredit the island, while they do not substantially protect its residents and visitors, preventing dangers and ensuring at the same time the creation of new security and escape infrastructure, as well as a new safe harbor that the island needs.
Finally, Mr. Iliopoulos referred to the necessity of implementing the Strategic Planning for Santorini, as announced by the Prime Minister from Santorini in June 2020.
The videos with the interesting placements can be seen here :
