Greece has always been my dream vacation place. I have always wanted to go there but every time I think of going, its so expensive. I read the latest report from CNN on thoughts as to whether you should go or not. So for those thinking of Greece, here are a couple of things to think about. To read more, go to Travel Advice for Tourists to Greece.
"Greece's
rejection of Europe's latest bailout offer has raised uncertainty for
millions of vacationers planning to head there for their summer break. But here's what we know at the moment:
Should I go?
On
the downside, it's likely that a vacation in Greece will involve added
inconvenience, particularly when it comes to financial transactions.
This could just mean waiting in line longer at an ATM.
But
there are outside risks of visitors being stranded in the event of fuel
shortages or logistical woes brought about by the ongoing crisis.
That
needs to be weighed against the fact that many people are currently
enjoying, and will continue to enjoy, peaceful, trouble-free vacations
in Greece.
Greece needs tourism income
more than ever now and many in the hospitality industry are working
incredibly hard to ensure travelers enjoy their stay without a hitch.
In terms of value, there's probably never been a better time to visit in recent years.
Bookings are in decline and there are bargains to be had in resorts that are now far less busy than usual.
The crisis has dented the strength of the euro, meaning that non-eurozone travelers will enjoy cheaper prices.
These are likely to get cheaper still if Greece crashes out of the euro.
Should I bring cash?
The overwhelming advice appears to be yes, bring as much as you will need.
ATMs in many parts of the country are still working, but there have been accounts of money running dry in others.
Banks have remained shut in Greece for more than a week and limits placed on withdrawals by Greek customers.
There
are no extra restrictions on foreign account holders, but an upsurge in
demand has resulted in long lines at some ATMs and, in some cases, cash
shortages.
For the most part, credit
cards will continue to work, but with uncertainty hanging over the
future of Greek banking, there could be problems.
Many experts are now advising tourists to bring cash to cover their entire trip.
In response, some insurers have increased their limits on the amount of cash they cover, so it's worth checking your policy.
Are tourism businesses making contingency plans?
Sophia
Antoniadou, co-founder of Discover Greek Culture Tours, based in
Athens, recently told CNN that travel operators did not foresee
emergency scenarios and were confident the fiscal crisis would not
seriously impact the travel industry -- at least not this summer.
That said, travelers may again want to consider taking out good insurance to cover themselves in the event of getting stranded.
Is there any danger that credit cards will no longer work?
With Greek banks in jeopardy, it's a real possibility.
Even if they continue to work, many smaller hotels and restaurants may switch to cash only due to the current money controls.
If Greece drops out of the euro, will places still accept euros?
Panagiotis
Zarifis, a banking and investments executive based in Athens, says that
in the "highly improbable event" that Greece returns to the drachma,
the U.S. dollar and the euro will still be accepted.
"It's
well known that these strong currencies are always preferred by
businesses, in any country, should there be any economic insecurity."
Are there any safety issues? Any danger of unrest, increased crime?
Athens
has witnessed several major outbreaks of unrest since its financial
crisis began, but while there have been recent demonstrations, locals
say any risk from turmoil is small.
"Greece
is quiet and peaceful and the people are still as warm and hospitable
as ever," Athens resident Georgina Tzevelekou told CNN last month.
"Of
course, Greeks are worried about what may happen but that isn't
something that will affect or harm the visitors in our country."
Tzevelekou
points out that even when Athens or other mainland cities have been the
focal point for protest, these have not spread to the prime vacation
destinations on Greece's islands.
"The
Greek people understand very well that tourists are helping Greece and
our economy," she adds. "Furthermore, the Greek islands have always been
peaceful and the atmosphere there has never been affected by what
happens in the capital."
Will the ferries still be running? Is there any risk of getting stranded?
Many Greek vacations depend on the network of ferries that connect smaller islands to airport destinations.
So will these still run if the crisis reaches breaking point?
"There's
no indication there would be such cancellations," says Stephanie
Anastasiou, who heads up Ask2Travel Group, Yachts-sailing.com and the
Entrada Central Reservation System.
"The
most important thing to remember is that tourist businesses are
privately-owned companies that have nothing to do with the government
and the public sector.
"A business in
Greece will not stop operating when there are customers to serve," she
says. "Such businesses have proven to be fully operable even in more
difficult times during these past crisis years."
Are there likely to be any power cuts or food shortages?
There
have been reports of supplies of food staples and basic medicines
running out in Athens and some popular tourist islands as importers
struggle to pay their bills.
But others say shop shelves remain fully stocked.
Previously,
hoteliers and officials have pledged resilience in the face of the
crisis, saying that unpredictable fluctuations in supplies are unlikely
to impact tourists.
"I run a five-star
luxury hotel and I am not concerned about supplies," Theodore
Agiostratitis, Managing Director of the upscale Margi Hotel in Athens,
told CNN late last month.
"When it comes to this aspect, the tourism industry will be taken care of -- as usual.
"All tourism destinations are well prepared and equipped for the summer period. Tourism is very important to Greece.
"Even
if the worst happens, it is going to affect the economy and operations
after a number of months not from one day to the next."
Are prices likely to go up or down?
No
one wants to find themselves on the wrong side of an exchange rate
meltdown, suddenly finding prices surging midway through a vacation.
Doulis
Carafil, CEO of private charter company Air Business International,
says while Grexit might herald economic turbulence, foreign travelers
will win out.
"Should Greece default, prices will drop even more and the tourist experience will only get better," he says.
"This is proven by changes that have taken place as we went through the worst of the crisis over the past few years. "
Given the situation, will Greek people be happy to see tourists?
"We
Greeks are famous for our hospitality and we're proud of that," says
Yorgos Geniatakis, general manager of the Minos Imperial Luxury Beach
Resort in Crete. "Of course Greek people will be happy to see tourists.
"First and foremost because it's our culture dating back to ancient times and no political situation could affect that.
"Secondly, Greece depends on tourism, so tourists will be welcome."
Geniatakis says visitors shouldn't worry about packing extra euros, but should be worrying about packing media-driven anxieties.
"If tourists arrive positive they will leave positive," he adds. "It is the time to enjoy Greece."
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