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Covid-19 Affects Travel Plans of Germans for Greece

Limeni, Peloponnese. Photo source: @Visit Greece

Although Germans are dreaming of the Greek islands this year, Greece’s epidemiological situation is negatively affecting their travel plans for the summer season ahead, local tourism experts say.

Greece is still considered a “high-risk” area for German authorities with most Germans appearing reluctant to travel to Greek destinations, according to the Director of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) service in Germany Paraskevi-Maria Stroubou.

Another discouraging factor is the obligation of travelers to self isolate for two weeks upon their return from Greece to Germany. Those who show a negative Covid-19 test can end the quarantine on the fifth day.

Stroubou gave an analysis of the German tourism market during the Greek Panorama Virtual expo that was held recently by North Events and Travel Media Applications.

As she said, Germany is struggling to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, despite the fact that the country’s vaccination program had accelerated during the last weeks of April.

Lack of early bookings for Greece

Meanwhile, the lack of summer pre-bookings for Greece concerns tourism experts. Furthermore, booking rates are still low and mainly concern the period after July 15.

“It will be a difficult [tourism] restart, as Greece must first restore the people’s trust in its health conditions. We expect arrivals to start after July 15. Provided that there won’t be a fourth wave of the pandemic in Greece, we hope to extend the summer season until October or even November,” said Michalis Vamiedakis, development consultant at Danaos Travel and president of Allsun Hotel – Greece during the Greek Panorama tourism expo.

Referring to 2022, Vamiedakis estimated that early bookings from the German market could start from the fall and lead to a successful tourism season, “as long as health conditions allow it”.

New campaigns

In efforts to maintain the strong interest of Germans for Greece, the GNTO service in Germany is planning to launch a number of promotional actions in the coming weeks.

The GNTO will roll out joint advertising programs with local tour operators and major airlines with the aim to ensure a minimum capacity for Greece this summer.

In addition, the organization will launch an advertising campaign in leading German media.

Germany is among Greece’s top source tourism markets, with the majority of German travelers opting for the Greek islands of Crete, Rhodes and Kos.

According to Stroubou, there is also a growing interest for destinations in Central Macedonia and the Peloponnese.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a communication sponsor of the Greek Panorama Virtual event.

Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.
About the Author
Eleftheria has worked for several financial newspapers, magazines and websites during the past 19 years. Between 2004 and 2014 she worked as a radio producer, reporter and presenter for the Greek and English language program of “Athina 9.84 FM”. She also has hands-on experience in the MICE industry.
  1. Roy Ferguson Reply

    Asking people to get a virus test within 72 hours of travel is expensive and stressful, we have our flights to Crete paid for, if we had not already paid we would not be going. What happens if you do not get your test results back in time holiday and money is lost, if you get a false positive money is list. Everyone knows the PCR tests are a lottery the UK has set the number of cycles before a negative test to 38 cycles. Scientists say over 25 cycles no virus no spread, so those who get a reading between 25 & 37 have nothing wrong with them. We love Crete have been going for many years but find ourselves hoping Jet 2 cancel our flight, its all getting to much hassel.

  2. Valerio Reply

    Until mandatory PCR test (In Italy costs starting from 72 Euros) won’t be removed, in my opinion unfortunately there won’t be a success in tourism re-opening. I’ll get to Greece anyway but for short stay and families the costs will be to high! 8-(

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