Last Greek holidaymakers leave cities

Greek prices cut as holidaymakers urged to keep travelling
British holidaymakers have been urged to keep travelling to Greece, despite ongoing unrest and a growing threat of terrorist activity. The Greek government has reassured travellers that the country is safe. Some tour operators have cut the price of package holidays to the country by more than half, while the Greek government has reiterated its commitment to compensate any holidaymakers left out of pocket by the strikes.

Dudley der Parthog, director of Sunvil Holidays, which has cut prices at a number of properties by up to 28 per cent, said it had been contacted by customers due to visit Greece who had expressed concern at the current political climate.

"Strikes in Greece are nothing new, and Britain's travelling public are fairly resilient," he said. "Greece currently represents very good value for Britons, with discounting by tour operators and a fall in prices for food and drink of around 10 per cent."

Mr der Parthog's statement is supported by a Post Office report issued last month that revealed a fall of 20 per cent in the cost of food, drinks and other essential holiday purchases at Greek beach resorts, compared with 2009.

Ian Derbyshire, chief executive officer at Thomas Cook, said it had been able to secure cheaper rates with Greek hoteliers this summer, which are being passed on to holidaymakers.

For example, a week's b&b at the Marcos Beach Hotel in Santorini with Olympic Holidays, departing August 24, costs £346 per person, down from £691.

Seven nights at a three-star hotel in Kefalonia, departing with Thomas Cook during August, can currently be secured for £359 per person, while a two-week self-catering holiday in Skopelos with Sunvil costs from £649.

Greek hotels have already seen a drop in bookings of around 3 per cent this year, representing a loss to the economy of around £500 million, according to the Panhellenic Hotel Confederation. A further 5 per cent drop in visitor numbers has been predicted for September and October.

The country has been paralysed by a series of protests at the Greek government's austerity reforms. Greece's leading unions have staged six general strikes this year, disrupting the transport network, including ferry links to the islands, and affecting the plans of thousands of holidaymakers.

Last week, a walkout by truckers resulted in fuel shortages across the country, while The Revolutionary Sect, a terrorist organisation, threatened to turn Greece into “a war zone”. The group had previously claimed responsibility for the death of a Greek journalist on July 19.

The Greek government has insisted that the group pose no threat to tourists, or to the Greek public.
Foreign Office advice warns of a “general threat from terrorism, which has been on the increase”. It also warns visitors to expect “regular strikes and demonstrations” throughout the summer months

By Oliver Smith http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7929922/Greek-prices-cut-as-holidaymakers-urged-to-keep-travelling.html