Hellenic Chamber of Hotels: Greek Tourism Sector Must Remain Afloat

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels called today on all of the hoteliers and tourism professionals in the country to do everything possible to minimize the negative effects that the “new reality” is bringing to the travel experience of visitors in Greece.

In an announcement on Monday, the chamber underlined that it is cooperating with all tourism bodies to safeguard the country’s image on an international level, as the recent developments in Greece have already caused a direct negative impact on tourism.

The Greek government has announced a “bank holiday” in effect through to Monday, July 6 — one day after a July 5 referendum — in efforts to prevent banks from collapsing. And while ATM withdrawals in the country from Greek account holders is limited to 60 euros per day per account, tourists in the country, holding foreign accounts, will have no problem with money transactions.

The chamber called on all professionals to inform their foreign customers that their credit and debit cards will be accepted without limits by Greece’s ATMs.

In the announcement, the chamber also called on all political forces to assume their responsibilities and ensure stability in the country which is vital to protect Greek tourism.

“It is in everyone’s interest for Greek tourism to remain afloat for it to continue to support the country in the future”, the chamber concluded.

Greek tourism contributes more than 20 percent to the Greek GDP and covers 60 percent of the trade deficit balance, while it employs 20 percent of the workforce and generated 40 billion euros in 2014.