Topic

Name

Date

Question/Answer

What do the locals think about development

Joe

18/01/05

Précis of

text

I have visited Kefalonia quite a few times.  In the early days everything was so quiet and unspoilt. My most recent visit last year left me saddened because it seems the big race is on for making money and development.  There is building everywhere ….. and every other plot of land seems to have a company– or home-made ’For Sale’ sign on it.  Will the government act to stop ...inappropriate development ?  What do the ’locals’ think…..?   Is this driving up house prices to the exclusion of locals ?  I know there is increasing indifference...to the sprawling British enclaves in the Spanish Costas.    Who owns land on Kefalonia anyway….did people just settle and claim it ?

Kefalonian Homes

23/01/05

Précis of

text

As a result of the two World wars many of the inhabitants of Kefalonia (many of whom were land-owners by inheritance) left to make a living outside Greece.  The devastating earthquake of 1953 destroyed most of the buildings and led to a further massive exodus.  This left the island dangerously under-populated and economically bereft.   It was only in the early 80’s that tourists re-discovered the beauty and tranquillity of Kefalonia. 

Tourism has brought about a rebirth of the island’s infrastructure.  Improved facilities attracted more tourists—tourists wanted to holiday here regularly and many would love to buy their own property here.  Farmers who struggled to eke out a living from acres of land soon found that selling a few unused stremmas could vastly augment their income.

The majority of the locals rely on tourism in the Summer, and the building trade provides much-needed employment during the winter.  The locals are very happy with the situation—it has brought a new prosperity to Kefalonia.

Most locals belong to families who already have land of their own and are not adversely affected by rising prices.

They are not complacent about the situation though. 

Locally elected officials deal with planning  policy and

legislate to prevent over-development.  They have no desire to encourage large developments or ‘ghettos’ of different nationalities on the island. 

As a point of interest: those land-owners who left Kefalonia in 1953 are approaching retirement age and some are already returning. They have, in the main, achieved their ambitions and will strive to protect the beauty of their home island.