Tourism will likely have another record year in 2018, but it is only through the constant strengthening of the tourism product’s competitiveness and sustainable growth that more investments can be implemented in the sector, leading to growth in revenues and jobs. This was the conclusion of the 16th annual conference of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), which ended on Tuesday.

“Although the contribution of enterprises and employees is leading the sector to high growth rates in the context of overtaxation, and despite the apparent stabilization of the economy, insecurity remains for most in this economic and social environment,” SETE’s president Yiannis Retsos said in his speech.

The consensus of the conference was that arrivals in 2018 could reach up to 30 million, compared to an estimated 28.5 million this year. However, the structural problems persist in the sector that has been driving the Greek recovery this year.

The main problems are overtaxation (including the so-called stay-over tax to apply as of next year) and the lack of a tourism zoning plan, which would facilitate investments.

This article first appeared on ekathimerini.com on 18/10/2017