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Greece Increases Voucher Period for Canceled Trips Due to Covid-19
Posted On 07 Apr 2022
Tag: c81087c, canceled bookings, canceled package travel, canceled travel, Coronavirus, coronavirus Greece, Covid-19, Covid-19 measures Greece, Covid-19 travel measures, Greece hotels canceled bookings, Greece vouchers Covid-19, Greek hotel vouchers Covid-19, pandemic, tourism and travel, tourism and travel Greece, travel refund policy
Photo source: Consumer group EKPIZO
Greek authorities have extended the voucher period for canceled trips due to Covid-19 to June 30, 2022. The decision, included in new tourism legislation published recently in the Government Gazette, concerns vouchers issued for canceled trips as a result of the pandemic which were not used until March 31, 2022.
The decision announced on April 1 applies to all vouchers offered by tourist agencies and related businesses to consumers and to vouchers exchanged between tourist enterprises instead of immediate cash refunds.
The revised legislation also foresees the extension of leasing periods for quarantine hotels through to September 30, 2022.
The new tourism legislation Ν. 4917/2022 (in Greek) was published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ Α 67/31.03.2022) and announced on the website of the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Travel & Tourist Agencies (FedHATTA). The federation has highlighted the relevant articles in the legislation, which can be seen here.
The government previously extended the voucher period again in December.
Consumer groups have repeatedly called for the implementation of EU law which foresees the option of full refunds.
Has there been a further extension to this 30th June deadline. My hotel in Santorini suggests that an extension to 31st December has been approved. I think that they are just looking not to pay!
There has been a further extension. It was announced earlier this month: https://news.gtp.gr/2022/09/06/greece-vouchers-for-trips-canceled-due-to-covid-valid-until-year-end/
Where can you complain about a hotel in Santorini, that offered a voucher but now that the voucher has expired doesn’t respond? Is there an email to the ministry of tourism or a contact at the Ombudsman? What governing body regulates this law and enforces it?
Full refunds must be mandatory…. Ridiculous to hold travellers monies for personal cashflow purposes!