Greece May Launch “Ski Week” School Vacation To Boost Domestic Tourism

Greek schools may take a few extra days off this March as the ministries of Tourism and Education are working together to establish an annual “Ski Week,” a four-day vacation period for schools, aimed to boost domestic tourism.

“Ski Week” is a mid-winter break established in countries of central and northern Europe held during the ski season, which gives parents the chance to take a winter vacation with the kids and at the same time support winter resorts. (In other countries around the world the vacation is also known as “White Week.”)

Greek PM gives the go-ahead

In a recent meeting on tourism issues at the Maximos Mansion, chaired by Greece’s Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and attended by government ministers and tourism professionals, the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers once again referred to establishing a “Ski Week” in Greece. (The federation had submitted the proposal to the Education Ministry two years ago but with no result.)

According to the federation, the Prime Minister showed a great interest in the idea and the ministries of Tourism and Education are currently looking to establish an annual four-day “Ski Week” vacation period for Greek schools after Shrove Monday, a public holiday which marks the beginning of Lent.

This year, Shrove Monday is on 3 March. If established, the “Ski Week” for Greek schools would take place 4-7 March 2014.

If made official, the “Ski Week” school vacation period will be based on a special campaign launched by the tourism ministry in combination with very attractive hotel prices (for example, an offer could include free accommodation for children in the room of parents and/or a discount of up to 50 percent to book a separate room).

Announcements on the issue are expected soon.

The establishment of an annual “Ski Week” in Greece is expected to significantly boost winter tourism resorts that are popular to Greeks.

Domestic tourism, which accounts for some 25 percent of total tourism revenues in Greece, was severely struck since the beginning of the crisis in 20009-2010 as austerity-hit Greeks were forced to cut down on expenses.