Greeks Stay Home This Summer

Six in 10 Greeks said they would not take a vacation this summer due to the financial crisis, a recent nationwide survey conducted recently by the General Consumer Federation of Greece (INKA) said.

According to the survey, some 59 percent of Greek consumers said they had not planned nor believed that they could afford to go on holiday this summer – an increase from 48 percent in 2009. The federation interviewed 980 households.

INKA’s vice-president, Yiannis Annousakis said the main reason Greeks are staying home this year is financial while they are also feeling insecure for the future of the Greek economy.

The survey showed that 72 percent of Greeks interviewed for the survey will cut their vacation days to short getaways, 45 percent will reside in their own summerhouse and 27 percent will stay at a relative’s or friend’s home.

Only 28 percent said they would stay at a hotel or rent a room.

According to INKA’s calculations, the cost for a 15-day holiday for a 4-member family reaches some 3,800 euros.