Next 4 Weeks Crucial for Greek Tourism, Says Minister
Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis sees the next four weeks as “crucial” for Greek tourism.
Speaking on state radio ERT on Tuesday, Theoharis said the Tourism Ministry’s greatest concern at the moment is how the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will evolve inside and outside borders. “Germany has already placed Spain in the red and quarantines those who return from there,” he said.
In any case, the minister said that tourist flows to Greece at the moment are moving satisfactorily. He did, however, avoid commenting on the levels of this year’s revenues compared to 2019.
In an interview to Greek daily Kathimerini on Tuesday, the minister said he was avoiding forecasts as everything depends on the evolution of a pandemic.
“It goes without saying that Greece is not alone and is necessarily influenced by decisions of other governments and by the development of other processes, which are beyond our control,” he said.
Referring to Greece’s tourist traffic so far and its prospects, Theoharis noted that arrivals in June reached between 40 to 50 percent of the number recorded for the same month in 2019. During the first weeks of July, the percentage rose to some 60 percent. At the moment, he said, arrivals have reached between 60 and 70 percent of 2019 levels.
Moreover, underlining once again the importance of protecting public health Theoharis urged residents to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
India has very low number of cases if you go by percentage. France and Germany have moved India from red to amber list and they are allowing fully vaccinated Indians to visit without quarantine. Why can’t Greeks follow the French ?
Delta variant is everywhere therefore stopping indian to travel to Greece doesn’t stop the spread.
Heading to Crete on the 7th September. Hope we don’t have to cancel.
Me on the 2nd of September, hoping zhe same.
Stop the silly testing cases do not me Hospital, base it on how many are in hospital, recovery from the virus is 99.9% im in hospital now, caught the virus on 18th July. Im ok and looking forward to three weeks in Crete near the end of August but the Greek Government keep making it harder and expensive to travel. And i tell you something the sickest people in here are those who have been double vaccinated.