ATHENS (Reuters)-Greece’s once-
The booming sex industry has become the latest victim of the Greek debt crisis as Greek spending on sex toys, pornography and teasing underwear has fallen.
On Friday, about 50 people, almost all young people, lined up as a dream of porn in Athens --
The biggest sex deal in Greece
On a highway on the outskirts of the capital, a humble building opened its doors.
At the height of Greece's debt, the annual exhibition attracted a large audience when it opened on 2008 --
Economic bubble.
But with Greece's economy in recession for the fifth consecutive year, interest has weakened.
Austerity measures taken by Greece as part of an international bailout deal have led to record unemployment, while wage cuts and tax increases have suppressed consumer spending.
The sex industry has been hit.
Show organizer George Chrysospathis says the number of exhibitors has fallen by half since 2008, reaching a dozena grey-
Fat man with beard, if he finds anyone who doesn't pay 15, his happy attitude will change sooneuro entry fee.
"We used to have 20,000.
There are 30,000 tourists this year, but I don't know. we can only go and see . "
Of the 300 to 400 sex goods stores that once existed in Athens, only the stores survived the crisis, and the business of those who brought the goods to the sex Goods Fair looked bleak.
"Man, things look really bad," said Donatos Passaris, a 38-year-old vendor, standing in front of a long bench vibrator, lotion and other items.
There are very few shoppers in the stands, and Pasaris quickly avoided the problem for fear of losing a rare customer.
"If there is one, we only make 20 euros a day," said Marianna Lemnarou, another retailer . ".
"Some customers just don't want to have sex --
In the crisis, others can't afford our things.
In May 6, a fruitless general election plunged Greece into new political turmoil and raised concerns about a possible exit from the euro zone.
"Business has collapsed completely since the vote," says Lemnarou . ".
Greece's troubles with sex and sex trade go hand in hand with problems that plague its wider economy.
The industry consists mainly of small family businesses that rely entirely on foreign suppliers and face fierce competition from abroad.
"There is no wholesaler," said Chrysospathis . ".
Unlike other Western European countries, where sex shops can be found on Central Avenue and shopping streets, Greek sex shops fail to move to premium markets and struggle to get rid of their bad image.
Almost everyone is in ugly cement blocks, or sitting in a car wash or fast-
Gourmet restaurants in dilapidated areas of town.
Just as wage costs have soared for other manufacturers since Greece joined the euro zone, local porn lingerie makers have found it difficult to compete with cheaper foreign rivals.
"The Chinese and Turks are killing us," said the 55-year-old left-wing papazopoulos, who offered discounted hot pants, garters and long for 5 to 10 euros per person.
He called on customers for patriotism, calling his booth "Greek-made products" with plastic Greek flags hanging on the shelves.
Greece used to be home to a small but successful porn industry that employs about 1,000 people, including actors, photographers and photographers.
In the 1980 s, sex films were usually filmed on remote beaches on many islands in the country and translated into English for export.
But with free Internet porn and movies from Eastern European countries weakening the influence of local producers, the scene has mostly disappeared.
"Five of Greece's seven porn stars are Hungarian," Chrysospathis said . ".
There is only one company left at the exhibition to promote its latest products.
Looking at the export market, the film is called "the temptation on Santorini "--
This is one of the most popular tourist islands in Greece.
But not everyone is pessimistic.
Antigo koi, 33year old U. S. -
A well-trained psychologist said that two years ago, she found a successful niche by offering a pole dance course for women --
There are also men recently.
"Only a very small number of people become strip girls in class," she said . ".
But back to the drachma currency-
Many people worry
This will further frustrate the industry.
Almost all sex toys sold in Greece are imported from countries such as Germany or Poland, and devalued drachma will not be able to afford them.
"A vibrator that is now priced at € 20 will cost € 50," said Pasaris . ".