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| Newsletter 8 November 2003 Download Archive |
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| NEWS & EVENTS | |
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| Attributes of the Region Health The Health Service of the region of Crete Crete is considered as a self-sufficient sanitary region. The structure of health care system in the Crete region as it concerns the sectors of hospitals and primary care, is the following. Table 2, presents these elements. Table 2: General indicators of Medical staff, Nursing staff and beds in Crete region Population Per PercentagePer Doc/Nur/Beds Parameter TotalNumberof Crete Doctors/Nurses/Beds Averageof Greece In 1000 Inhabitants Averageof Greece Doctors 1.698 318 265 3,15 3,77 Nurses 2.182 247 264 4,05 3,78 Beds 2.894 186 200 5,4 5 Source: National statistics The total number of doctors in the Crete region is 1698 doctors. It means that we have 315 doctors per 1000 inhabitants or 318 inhabitants per doctor. The respective index, which concerns the country average, is 377 doctors per 100 inhabitants. Besides the total number of nursing staff arises to 2182 persons. That means that we have 405 nurses per 1000 inhabitants or 247 inhabitants per nurse. The respective index, which concerns the average of the country is 3,78 nurses per 1000 inhabitants. In general, the health sector in the region lacks of the number of doctors but exceeds of the nursing staff and the number of hospital beds. The primary care of health National System of Health, throughout Health Centres, their Regional Surgeries and the outpatients’ departments of the hospitals provide the primary health care of the country. Primary health services are offered by the insurance cashes throughout their infirmaries. Local authorities are involved in the primary health care sector. The contribution of the private doctors is also very important. The following table presents the geographical distribution of the health centres, that function in the island if Crete. Table 3: Geographical distribution of health centres in the Crete region Prefecture Number Location Heraklion 6 Moires,St.Barbara, Arkalohori, Kastelli, Harakas, Biannos Lassithi 4 Tzermiado, Ieraperta, Sitia, Neapoli Chania 3 Bamos, Kissamos, Kantanos Rethymno 3 Spili, St. Fotini, Perama, Anogia Source: National statistics The responsibilities of the health centres are geographical defined. The total numbers of inhabitants, who are addressed to them, are estimated to 165.696 persons. The number comprises a percentage of 6,5% of the total population of the country. It is covered by 13 health centres, which correspond a percentage of 7,6% of the total country health centres. If we add 3 small hospitals and 103 regional surgeries, this percentage is increased to 7,8% of the whole country. Health centres are equipped with all necessary facilities to accord diagnoses, cure of common diseases and hurts. They are staffed with nurses and doctors. In conclusion, the level of health services offered in Crete, is over the country average, in reference to the medical tests. As it concerns the vaccines the level is about the same with the country average. The problem presents to the lab tests because of the limited personnel. The analysis of the visits to the outpatients’ department leads to very important conclusions: In the prefecture of Heraklion and Chania the number of visitors per 1000 inhabitants is smaller than the average of the total country. The same index in the case of the prefecture of Rethymno exceeds the Greek average .In the case of the Lasiithi prefecture , the index is considerably very high. The hospitalisation In Crete function 8 public hospitals according to the National Health System. The University Regional Hospital and the Venizelio Hospital located in Heraklion City. There are also three General Hospitals (one per each prefecture: Chania, Rethymno and Lassithi). We can add 3 smaller hospitals/ health centres, located in Lassithi and Chania. In Chania is also located the Navy, soldiery hospital and the Mental Hospital. The total capacity of the General hospitals is up to 1659 beds (the total number of the public sector are 2209). Transportation Infrastructure Harbours In the region of Crete has been developed quite important port infrastructure. The most important harbour is Heraklion’ harbour, which facilitates the transportation of goods, vehicles and passengers. Heraklion harbour is characterized as a national level harbour with high passenger and commodity activities. It mainly connects Crete Piraeus harbour. As it concerns the passengers’ transfer, a percentage of 97% is due to Greek passengers and the rest 3% is due to foreign visitors. The passenger transfer, has presented diachronically serious fluctuations from year to year, during the period 1779-88.The total passenger transfer in the year 1988,has reached the number 817.000.It is anticipated to reach a number of 930.000 passengers in the year 1999 and 1.500.000 in the year 2010. As it concerns the commercial transfer, it has reached the amount of 2.234.776 tonnes in the year 1988 and it anticipated reaching a number of 3.310.000 tonnes in 1999 and 5.380.000 in 2010. The “Free Zone” constitution of Heraklion harbour enforce its role for international transfer, while its vicinity to the International Heraklion Airport, gives the opportunity for combined transfers. The status of Heraklion’ harbour is going to change ,in the next years, through the completion of the “ Free Zone”. Soudas’ harbour and the harbours of Kastelli , Rethymno, Ag. Nikolaos and Sitia are also located on the Northern coast of Crete and connects Crete with the rest parts of Greece We can also mention, the harbours of Palaiohora, Sfakia, Ag. Galini, Kali Limenes, Kokkinos Pirgos and Ieraperta, which are located to the Southern coast. They mainly have a piscatory character .The Kastelli’ harbour connect (through ferries) Crete with Pelononissos and the Sitia harbour connect Crete with the rest inland of Aegean. Airports The airtransfer sector of Crete dominates the passengers-tourists transportation in the island. There are three civil airports in the region of Crete. The largest airport is located near the city of Heraklion. Heraklion airport “N.Kazanzakis” considered as the second airport of the country (relatively to the number of passengers: 2.7 million passengers yearly) and it presented the last decade yearly increase in a percentage of 9%.Heraklion airport comprises the southern gate to the United Europe. Chania airport,is located near the city of Chania. It mainly serves the tourists transportation of the area. The airport of Sitia, which is located to the eastern end of Crete, serves mainly domestic flights during the summer season It is now further developed in order to serve international charters flights in the area of the eastern Crete. Roads The most important road axis of Crete is the North Road Axis. There is also the South Road Axis. Its development has not completed yet. The North Road Axis belongs to the National Road Network of Greece and to the Trans European Road Network Outline Plan-Horizon 2000. The Road Network of Crete is completed with the Provincial Network, which has substantially developed, the last decade. The Economy Employment and Labour Force Labour Force The labour force’ evolution during the period 1961-1991 is presented to the following tables. This evolution is a result of the contemporary population evolution by age and sex (demographic component). The evolution is also a result of the historical alteration of the population, which participate to the production process. (socio- economic component). Table 7: Labour Force of Crete and Greece, 1961-1991 Year Labour Force Total Change Yearly Average of Change (%) Population Participation to the Labour Force CRETE 1961 224857 46,5 1971 185884 - 38973 - 1,89 40,7 1981 193174 7290 0,38 38,5 1991 211185 18011 0,89 39,1 GREECE 1961 3638601 43,4 1971 3234996 - 403605 - 1,17 36,9 1981 3543797 308801 0,92 36,4 1991 3886157 342360 0,92 37,9 Source: National Statistics Table 8: Labour force projection by age, 1991-2006 Year Population Population Participation to the Labour Force Labour Force Men Women Men Women Men Women Total CRETE 1991 270958 269096 53,8 24,3 145876 65309 211185 1996 273677 270834 54,0 25,6 147786 69334 217120 2001 278488 274442 54,0 27,1 150384 74374 224758 2006 284712 279424 54,0 28,8 153744 80474 234218 Regional Economy Analysis Economy The economy of Crete, which was mainly based on farming, started changing visibly during the 70's. While there is a still an emphasis on farming and stockbreeding, due to the climate and the terrain of the island, there is a drop in manufacturing and a big increase on the services industry (mainly tourism related). All three sectors of the Cretan economy (agriculture, processing-packaging, and services) are directly connected and interdepended. Crete has an average per capita income, which is close to 100% of the Greek average. Unemployment is at approximately 4%, half of that of Greece. Regional Income Concerning to the following table, the Gross Regional Product (G.R.P) of Crete, in 1970 stable prices, increased from 17.510 million drachmas to 23.610 million drachmas during the period 1970-1991 and reached the amount of 30.364 million drachmas in 1996. (The yearly rate of increase is 3,03 % during the period 1981-1991 and 3,06% during the period 1991-1996). The contribution of Crete to the total GNP of Greece increased from 4,20% to 5,07% during the period 1981-1991 and has reached the percentage of 5,24 % the year 1996. 50% of Crete GRP, is produced in the prefecture of Heraklion. Table 9: GRP in Crete 1981-1996 Activity 1981 1991 1996 1981-91 1991-96 Crete 17510 23610 30364 3,03 3,06 Primary Sector 4845 5413 5642 1,11 1,12 Secondary Sector 3821 4334 5520 1,27 1,28 Tertiary Sector 8844 13863 19202 4,60 4,65 Crete’s GRP is analysed as follows, concerning the economic sectors contribution Year 1981: Primary sector 27,7 % Secondary sector 21,8 % Tertiary sector 50,5 % These percentages are modified as follows the years 1991 and 1996: Primary sector 22,9%, Secondary sector 18,4% Tertiary sector 58,7% Primary sector 18,6%, Secondary sector 18,2% Tertiary sector 63,2%. The above elements, underline the dominant role in Crete economy of the primary and tertiary sector. At the same time the tertiary sector progressively increases, its contribution to the formation of the Regional income, in a way that primary and secondary sector reduce their traditional role in the economy of the inland. Table 10, below presents the G.R.P of Crete (1971-1991) Table 10: GRP OF CRETE, 1971-1991 (amounts in million drachmas) GRP Yearly average of change ( %) Percentage distribution (%) 1981 1991 1981-91 1981 1991 Crete Primary Sector 4.845 5.413 1,11 100,0 100,0 Secondary Sector 3.821 4.334 1,27 100,0 100,0 Mines 93 90 -0,33 2,5 2,1 Manufacture 1.843 1.653 -1,08 48,2 38,1 Electricity-gas-water 781 1.157 4,01 20,4 26,7 Constructions 1.104 1.434 2,65 28,9 33,1 Tertiary Sector 8.844 13.863 4,60 100,0 100,0 Transportation-telecommunication 1.650 2.232 3,07 18,7 16,1 Commerce 2.367 2.873 1,96 26,7 20,7 Banks - Insurance 275 685 9,56 3,1 5,0 Other Services 4.552 8.073 5,90 51,5 58,2 Table 11 below presents the employment by sector of economic activity in Crete (1971-1991) Table 11: the employment by sector of economic activity Employment Yearly average of change Average Distribution 1971 1981 1991 1971-1981 1981-1991 1971 1981 1991 occupation per sector economic activity CRETE 182.644 188560 199475 0,32 0,56 100,0 100,0 100,0 Primary 114989 95456 63950 - 1,84 -3,93 63,0 50,6 32,1 Secondary 29.151 33.326 35.148 1,35 0,53 16,0 17,7 17,6 Tertiary 38.504 59.778 100.377 4,50 5,32 21,0 31,7 50,3 Occupation per economic activity Agricultural 114989 95456 63950 - 1,84 -3,93 63,0 50,6 32,1 Mines 330 378 383 1,37 0,13 0,2 0,2 0,2 Manufacture 16.556 16.429 13.473 -0,08 -1,96 9,1 8,7 6,8 Electricity 782 822 1.161 0,50 3,51 0,4 0,5 0,6 Construction 11.483 15.697 20.131 3,18 2,52 6,3 8,3 10,1 10.415 13.767 25.386 2,83 6,31 5,7 7,3 12,7 Restaurant - Hotels 4.096 9.763 16.820 9,07 5,59 2,2 5,2 8,4 Transportation 7.045 8.920 11.189 2,39 2,29 3,8 4,7 5,6 Banks 2.028 3.691 8.203 6,17 8,31 1,1 2,0 4,1 Service 14.920 23.637 38.779 4,71 5,08 8,2 12,5 19,4 Trade Crete has a flourishing commercial activity. There are a lot of shops that cater to the tastes and demands of the tourists that visit the island every year. There is also the potential for co-operation with foreign companies, from companies whose products can get a high demand in the markets abroad. These include, but are not limited to, leather goods, jewellery, furniture, paints, building material and equipment, medical equipment. Tourism The tourists product of Crete Crete is known as a “sun and sea” destination. Its main competitive advantages are the island’s climatic conditions, its archaeological sites (Knossos, Phaestos, Eleftherna, etc), Monasteries, Museums, places of historical interest, diverse natural resources from high mountains to long beaches, crystal blue waters combined with a wide range of activities (cultural events, winter and sea sports, etc) as well as high quality accommodation establishments ranging from all categories of hotels to self-catering units. Crete attracts mainly high quality tourism. As a result, it is considered as the Greek tourist destination with the highest pricing policy (20% higher than the country’s average). More than 93% of total visitors to Crete stay in hotels and self - catering apartments. A significant number of tourists to the island (38%) prefer to stay in self - catering accommodation establishments, whereas only 1% stay in camping sites. Although Crete is accessible both by sea and air approximately 85% of tourism to the island uses charter flights. This is related to the fact that Crete relies on package tourism and tour groups, that account for 80% of total tourist arrivals. A typical tourist package for Crete consists of air fares, tourist accommodation on a breakfast or half- board or full - board basis, a number of optional tours to archaeological sites and museums and often private car arrangements for 1 - 2 weeks for 1 - 6 different destinations on the island. Crete is considered as a family resort, with a 42% of total tourist arrivals representing families with children, 38% couples and 20% singles. It attracts mainly from following age groups: 18 - 35 years old (49%) 36 - 45 years old (22%) 46 - 60 years old (18%) more than 60 years old (11%) The average length of stay on Crete has decreased from 2 weeks to 1 week. More specifically, during the period 1990-96, it has been fluctuating between 7.2 and 7.6 days (approximately 1 week). The tourist season lasts from March to November with July and August being the peak months. Statistical Analysis Tourist demand Overnights in accommodation establishments Studying the total number of overnights in Greece during the period 1992-1996, we notice the During the period 1992 - 1996, Crete, in relation with the rest 12 tourist regions of Greece has occupied the 5th position in terms of overnights increase. Examining the partial variations during the up-mentioned period it is shown that overnights in Crete, have remained generally stable and followed the general trend of overnights in Greece. In other words, the number of overnights in Crete has shown very little variation in comparison with other regions. A characteristic example of the above is the case of South Aegean in which the variation of the arrivals from 1992 to 1993 was -1,6% , from 1993 to 1994 14,17%, from 1994 to 1995 -6,35%, and from 1995 to 1996 -6,78% while the respective figures for Crete were 2,81%, 7,78%, -3,56% and -1,75% respectively. It is obvious that the positive course of 1993 and 1994 did not continue in 1995 and 1996. With reference to the number of overnights in Crete’s Prefectures separately during the period 1992 - 1996, it is noted that Rethymno and Chania recorded an increase of 26% and 20% respectively in the number of overnights in 1993 compared to 1992 whereas, in the prefectures of Heraklion and Lassithi there was a decrease of -5% and -10% respectively. Further, in the prefectures of Heraklion and Rethymno there has been a notable increase of 9% and 18% respectively in 1994 in relation to 1993 while in the other two Prefectures, Chania and Lassithi, there have been no significant variations. The tourism crisis of 1995 is apparent in Crete in terms of overnights, particularly in Heraklion (-12%) with the exception of Chania where the number of overnights has increased considerably (+40%!!). In 1996, Heraklion was the only prefecture of Crete that experienced a small increase of 2% in the number of overnights. During the same year, the number of overnights recorded in the rest three prefectures decreased slightly (Chania -4%, Rethymno -9% and Lassithi -1%). Based on 1996 data, it is shown that almost half of Crete’s overnights (48%) were recorded in the Prefecture of Heraklion. The latter is attributed to the size of the Prefecture and to the higher number of hotel establishments located in its surroundings. Tourist demand in the Prefectures of Rethymno and Chania accounts for 18% each while the respective share in the Prefecture of Lassithi is 16%. During the first three years of the period 1992-1996, air arrivals in the two main airports of Crete have recorded a continuous increase, with the exception of the airport of Chania where there was a slight decrease in the number of arrivals in 1993 compared to 1992. In 1994, which a record year for tourism in Crete, air arrivals grew by 16% in the airport of Heraklion and by 33% (!) in the airport of Chania. In 1995, the positive trend of arrivals in the airport of Chania continued (increased by 3%), whereas in the airport of Heraklion there was a fall of -7%. In 1996, arrivals in both airports of Crete recorded the same decrease of -5%. The variations of arrivals in the airports of Crete reflect the overall tourist trend on the island. In this context, figures in 1994 proved it to be one of the most prosperous years for tourism in Crete, whereas the tourism crisis which has been experienced over the last two years, is obvious when looking at air arrivals in Crete in 1995 and 1996. As far as the break - down of air arrivals in Crete by country of origin is concerned, the largest share of the total number of arrivals in Heraklion airport is attributed to Germany (33%), followed by United Kingdom (15 %), the Netherlads (8%), France (6%) and Sweden (6%) and Swizerland (5%) and Austria (5%). The pattern in Chania airport appears to be quite different. The majority of arrivals is generated from two major Scandinavian countries i.e. Sweden (24%) and Denmark (19%) followed by Germany (15%), United Kingdom (10%), Finland (7%) Austria (5%) and the Netherlands (4%). However, there should be no comparison of cardinal numbers between the two airports since the number of arrivals in Heraklion is 5 times more than the one in Chania. Domestic Tourism in Crete Overnights of Greek tourists in Crete account for only 10% of total overnights on the island, while in Greece as a whole, 1 out of 4 tourists is Greek. In addition, overnights of domestic tourism in Crete account for 6,5% of total overnights of Greeks in Greece. These prove that Crete relies predominantly on foreign tourism and that there ground for achieving a larger share in the domestic market. Nevertheless, when considering the trend in the number of overnights of domestic tourism in Crete during the period 1992-96, it is noted that there has been a continuous growth, with the exception of 1994 when there was a small decrease of 12%. During this period, the increase rates of domestic tourism in Rethymno and Chania have been dramatic, at 79% and 48% respectively. In 1996, the number of overnights of Greek visitors to Crete increased by 11,8% compared with an average increase of 2,3% for total Greece. This represented a record rate when also compared with other Greek tourist destinations. It is noted that this increase was attributed to Rethymno, Chania and Lassithi, that recorded the highest growth rates of 416%, 28% and 27% respectively in 1996 compared to 1995. On the other hand, in 1996 the number of Greek overnights in Heraklion fell by -5%, despite the fact that the majority of Greek overnights (45%) were recorded in this area, followed by Chania with a share of 30% in domestic tourism. Hotel Supply There is no doubt that Crete offers an oversupply of accommodation establishments of all types. The ratio No of Beds/ Population for Crete is equal to 0,202, two times higher than the respective ratios for Cyprus and Malta, two destinations of a similar tourist profile to Crete. This ration means that, assuming 100% hotel bed occupancy, 20 tourists correspond to every 100 inhabitants in Crete. This figure is estimated to be higher if the number of visitors to Crete who stay in other types of accommodation establishments (i.e self-catering accommodation) is taken into account. The growth of tourist accommodation supply in Crete in 1996 compared to 1995 was 2,2%, while the respective rate for Greece was 2,6%. However, during the period 1992-96 (over the last 5 years), there has been a dramatic increase of 29% in the number of beds offered in all types of accommodation establishments in Crete compared with an average of 20% increase for Greece as a whole. This increase was particularly experienced in 1995 and was mainly due to measures taken by the Greek government through the Development Law 2160, which regarded the grant of a “legitimate operation label” to all tourist accommodation establishments in the country. This was an effort to encourage owners of illegally constructed establishments particularly self-catering accommodation, to legalise them. When considering the trend in the number of beds offered by each prefecture of Crete during the period 1992-1996, it keeps in pace with total Crete. It is important to note, that over the period examined, the number of tourist accommodation establishments recorded dramatic increases of 45,9% and 38,4% in the prefectures of Chania and Rethymno respectively. However, in 1996 compared to 1995, there was a lower, but still significant increase in tourist accommodation supply in the prefecture of Chania (7%) and Rethymno (6%), whereas in the prefecture of Lassithi the increase was minimal (under 1%) and in the prefecture of Heraklion a slight decrease of -0,4% was recorded. Crete offers a wide range of tourist accommodation establishments varying from all categories of hotel complexes to self-catering units and traditional lodgings. The majority of hotels in Crete are large establishments. This is proved if the share of hotel & self-catering units in Crete.(17,9% of total Greece) is compared to the share of beds offered in Crete (19,6% of total Greece). Similarly, when comparing the four prefectures of Crete, it is concluded that Heraklion offers the largest and Chania the smallest accommodation establishments in Crete. The size of hotels in Rethymno is similar to the average size of Greek hotels. In general, the hotel policy followed in Crete encouraged the establishment of large hotels of the highest standards a fact that is reflected in the distribution of its 112.249 beds by category in 1996. The above chart shows indeed that the majority of tourist accommodation establishments offered in Crete are of the righest standards. ie A Class hotels (27%), followed by middle-class hotels ie C Class (22%) and B Class (20%) accommodation units which account for almost equal shares. Self-catering accommodation or furnished apartments of all categories (particularly C Class in all four prefectures and some A Class in the prefectures of Heraklio and Lassithi) represent a significant share of 21% of total tourist accommodation supply in Crete, Crete’s share in deluxe hotels is still low (6%). There are only 16 deluxe hotels in Crete (8 in Lassithi, 7 in Heraklion and 1 in Rethymno) and there are no deluxe hotels in Chania. Lower class hotels (D & E Class hotels) account for only 4% of total tourist accommodation establishments offered in Crete. It is also important to note that Crete offers predominantly hotel accommodation, as hotel complexes of all categories account for 78,22% of total tourist accommodation supply on the island, whereas furnished apartments represent a share of 21,28%. The latter does not include the category “rooms-to-let”, which is very significant, as in 1996 it represented an additional 70.000 beds or 62% of total hotel beds offered in Crete. Most of these establishments are A Class (85%) and are located mainly in Heraklion (31%) and Chania (29%). Rethymno and Lassithi have equal shares (20% each) with regard to this type of tourist accommodation supply. Table 37, presents the tourist infrastructure (1997) |
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