- Tourism bus owners in Crete voice strong opposition to VOAK roadblocks.
- Operators stress: demands may be fair, but blockades harm the island’s image.
- Call for dialogue, respect, and solutions that do not cripple basic infrastructure.
- Warn of reputational fallout abroad from scenes of chaos and paralysis.
The latest wave of farmer and herder protests that shut down stretches of the VOAK highway has sparked a sharp response from Crete’s tourism bus operators. While acknowledging that agricultural grievances deserve a platform, they insist that blocking the island’s main transport artery only spreads chaos, delays, and lasting reputational harm.
For an industry that spends its days ferrying visitors between airports, harbors, archaeological sites, and resorts, the blockades were not just a nuisance but a direct threat to Crete’s brand as a functioning destination.
Call for Responsibility
In a joint statement, the Association of Tourism Bus Owners of Crete underlined that protest is a democratic right, but responsibility is not optional:
“We respect and understand the chronic problems faced by farmers and herders. We are in solidarity with their struggles, and we recognize their critical role in the local and national economy. But the solutions are never found in blocking national roads, airports, or other essential infrastructure.”
The operators argued that such tactics damage the very fabric of the island’s economy. “These actions do not solve problems—they create new ones,” the statement continued, noting that the disruption undermines tourism development, unsettles daily life, and projects an image of dysfunction to global audiences.
The Image of Paralysis
The statement also pointed to the international fallout:
“A destination that appears paralyzed by protests is not strengthened—it is weakened. The image of Crete abroad matters. Tourists will hesitate if they see an island unable to keep its basic systems running.”
Tourism bus owners warned that the fight for better conditions in one sector should not come at the expense of another. With tourism representing the backbone of Crete’s economy, undermining visitor confidence is, in their words, “a blow against the future of the island itself.”
A Plea for Dialogue
Their conclusion was blunt: dialogue, not roadblocks, must be the path forward. “Social solidarity,” they stressed, “is built with respect and responsibility. We say yes to negotiations and just demands, but no to blockades that sabotage Crete’s future.”
The message captures the dilemma facing Crete: how to balance solidarity with agricultural workers while preserving the island’s reputation as a global destination. One thing is clear—tourism professionals will not quietly accept being collateral damage in someone else’s protest.
