Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price”

The president of the local community of Agia Roumeli, Yiannis Tzatzimakis, has criticized the way the Samaria Gorge operates, a few hours before the official opening of the Park, on Tuesday, May 6.

Speaking to Tornos News, Mr. Tzatzimakis likens the situation prevailing in the gorge to a “war zone”, strewn with multiple responsibilities, managers and services that, as he emphasizes, often overlap without clear coordination. He conveys the intense concern of both his own and that of professionals in the area, pointing out that they remain “victims of decisions” that are made in the absence of local reality. “Others decide when the gorge will open or close, without having a full picture of what is really happening inside it,” he notes characteristically.

Yiannis Tzatzimakis is one of the people who knows the famous Cretan park as well as anyone, and in support of the above, he notes that in April, the Samaria gorge could be open throughout the month, except for 3 days when there were strong winds. For Mr. Tzatzimakis, every mountain, every gorge in Greece has its dangers. It is not possible to close the gorge every time, without a significant reason, as he says. In the meantime, he expressed his anxiety and dissatisfaction with the rumor circulating that the gorge will close in the future when the temperature reaches 35 degrees. If this happens, it will be a very bad development for the operation of the park, with what this implies for the viability of local businesses, as he notes.

Doctor in the Gorge with a salary of 3,500 euros

At this point, he emphasizes that this year the Samaria Gorge will have a doctor in the park, since since the announcement of OFYPEKA, doctors have already expressed interest, since the salary will be 3,500 euros. Mr. Tzatzimakis points out that this year OFYPEKA acted as a catalyst for the above positive development, while its contribution to its smooth operation is also important.

Samaria National Park to Open for 2025 on May 6 – Enhanced Security Measures and 45 Staff on Site

According to information from Tornos News, this year a team of 45 people will be in the Park, tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of the gorge, guiding visitors and responding immediately to any incident that requires management.

With an official announcement, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (OFYPEKA) announced the opening of the Samaria National Park for the 2025 tourist season. The reception of visitors will begin on Tuesday, May 6, with access possible from both entrances to the gorge.

As the Organization points out, all necessary annual maintenance work has been completed, including the path, infrastructure, communications and all elements related to visitor traffic and safety.

An important innovation for this season is the installation of a nowcasting system, which provides early warning of the possibility of severe weather events within two hours at critical points in the Park, further strengthening prevention and protection protocols.

OFYPEKA reminds that visitors must comply with the National Park's Operating Regulations, respect and protect the environment, while bearing full individual responsibility for their safety, accepting potential natural hazards. Special emphasis is placed on compliance with any emergency regulations, prohibitions or instructions from staff.

For electronic ticket issuance, visitors can visit the Samaria National Park website

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