Can Greece to win the 2021 bet on tourism?; The answer to this question does not currently exist. The truth is that unlike last year, the country seems more ready, better prepared and most importantly with a specific plan.
This is of course not enough to to achieve the objective, which is are the revenue to get to 50% those of 2019, which means they will rise to around EUR 9 billion, compared to EUR 4.5 billion last year.
The big ones tour operators appear optimistic that the market will move much better than last year, while Greece seems to be very high on the list of those who seem determined to travel.
But unfortunately there are two factors that are, if anything, of concern. One has to do with what the pandemic will look like 1.5 months from now. Will it be in remission, as many estimate, or will it not?;
Obstacles from Germany and Britain
The second imponderable factor is the Governments two of the country's largest customers, the Germany and the United Kingdom, which appear reluctant to make it easier for their citizens to travel abroad in the summer.
The government of UK announced last Tuesday that it is being extended to 30 June the ban on holidays for the British, with the fines of up to £5,000 for those seeking to travel abroad.
At the same time, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is effectively calling on Germans not to go on holiday this year. As he said, «in general, I am not hiding from you that in essence we recommend that you do not travel this year». However, the federal government will meet again on April 12 to review the travel restrictions.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the two largest UK tour operators TUI and Jet2holidays, expect the British government to finally allow UK citizens to take a summer holiday. Η TUI insists that a holiday this summer will be possible, but acknowledges that entry requirements will «vary from country to country». TUI has in fact set a date of opening of the tourist season on 17η May.
Operation Charm by X. Theocharis
At the same time, the charm business from the Minister of Tourism Harris Theocharis to the country's potential customers continues unabated.
Indeed, through the RES sent message towards the global tourism community, safe opening of the Greek tourism industry, stressing that «we host safely, we take care of every tourist as if they were a member of our family». And he notes, «in Greece we care, but we have also shown that we are leading the way in implementing health protocols.».
In fact, it goes a step further, noting that if conditions permit the country will receive tourists even before from the date announced, i.e. before 14 May.
«If all goes well on the front of the COVID-19, with the first crack, Greece will be able to welcome tourists even earlier,» he says, adding that the ministry is discussing a gradual liberalization of travel from The EU, the US, the UK, Israel, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.
Regarding the development of the tourist season, H. Theocharis expresses the following. optimism stressing that 2021 will be better than the previous year and at the same time will put Greece in a growth and recovery trajectory for the future. He focuses on the messages that arrive at the Ministry of Tourism, as they reflect the assessment that Greece is increasingly identified with the next day of pandemic of coronavirus. «In surveys conducted by travel organisations, media, etc., there is a feeling that the brand name Greece has strengthened compared to last year,» he notes.
The rules for entering the country
Regarding the relaunch of the tourism industry, H. Theocharis clarifies that in order to be able to come to our country:
- should either be or be vaccinated or have recovered from the illness or have negative test.
- when it comes, it will be subjected to the innovative «EVA» system» in a random, targeted audit at the airport.
- the rapid test.
- there will be isolation hotels for outbreaks, while this year the following will also apply health protocols.
Addressing the industry entrepreneurs and especially the hotel industry, which in turn expect the health protocols, H. Theocharis announces that the next days, these will be presented Updated, with a view to worker and visitor safety.
Finally, he stressed that the employees in the industry will have priority to vaccination, after the vulnerable population.
