Opa! 2020’s Pandemic Surprise To The Economy And Tourism
Tarpon Springs is known as the ‘Greek Island’ of Florida. The town surrounds an intricate set of bayous in the Tampa Bay area, filled with vibrant restaurants where the sounds of the Bouzouki entertain guests from far and wide. Boasting the largest concentration of Greek Americans in the United States, this Greek heritage serves as the backbone of economically important tourist attractions which have been impacted by COVID-19.
Chris Alahouzos is the Mayor of Tarpon Springs, born on the Greek Island of Kalymnos, a place many in Tarpon Springs derive their ancestral roots from.
“Tourism has been affected everywhere with the coronavirus in Tarpon Springs as well, we are now on rebuild stage,’’ he says.
“Many stores are open again with full capacity, with the exception of the restaurants they have only 50 per cent capacity inside but can use outdoor seating as long as they are maintaining social distancing and wear a mask.”
Mr Alahouzous said sidewalks and parking areas have been opened for dining to assist in providing more outdoor seating.
Tarpon Springs resident Nikolas Klimis was born and raised in the city, and he said the Greek Culture which he speaks of with passion, is key to the economically-vital Sponge Docks.
“The Sponge Docks is the epicentre of Tarpon Springs, so the majority of the people that visit Tarpon Springs are always going to the Sponge Docks and they (business owners) make their money from that,” said Mr Klimis.
A flow of money which has slowed due to COVID-19.
“Well the Sponge Docks is driven by tourism, given that we don’t have that many tourists it’s slow,” said Mr Alahouzos.
The atmosphere currently felt in the Sponge Docks is a far-cry from the bustling local tourism hub it was before the pandemic.
Greek restaurants and Sponge Diving tours form part of the Sponge Docks, a key tourist attraction for those visiting Tarpon Springs wishing to dabble in Greek Cuisine and learn more about the City’s Greek population (Image: Lawrence Jeffcoat).
Mr Klimis said the Sponge Docks before COVID-19 were filled with people due to the tourist season which runs from December to May.
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council predicted a 75 per cent reduction in Florida’s accommodation and food services industry. Predictions like this have led to multiple levels of government providing support to businesses.
Yianni Koursiotis is a Busboy at Yianni’s Greek Cuisine at the Sponge Docks, his father is an owner of the restaurant and his family history is steeped in the local restaurant business. He said there had been an 80 - 90 per cent reduction in customers as a result of the pandemic and he had been sent home from work quite often in a job which is reliant on tips.
US Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) represents Florida’s District 12 which encompasses Tarpon Springs, he said the economic impacts have been devastating.
“The Federal Government is giving PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans, again to make sure we keep our employees employed, small businesses employ 50-60 per cent of employees nationwide,” said Mr Bilirakis.
Clemson University Professor of Political Science Laura Olson said while no policy is perfect there was some controversy with the PPP program as some small businesses received support, but larger businesses also received support. The Washington Post reported in June large food chain Ruth’s Chris Steak House had accessed PPP which is meant for companies with 500 employees or fewer.
Professor Olson said the “panic” to respond and provide financial support contributed to some issues.
Mr Klimis said popular family-owned businesses in Tarpon Springs have been affected and he feels bad for those families despite the restrictions being effective.
“People are just scared to come into restaurants and reuse the same silverware and plates that somebody else used and sit in the same chair as somebody else, so I think restaurants got hit the hardest,” said Mr Koursiotis.