Greek Hoteliers Body Reiterates School Break Proposal

The Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) is calling on Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura to re-examine a 2014 proposal that foresees a fixed vacation period in late winter for schools following the US model of spring break.

Dubbed “White Week”, the one-week period will be set for schools to take their holidays while at the same time covering low season effects at hotels and accommodation facilities across Greece. The federation is calling for this week to begin on Clean Monday, marking the end of carnival season and the first day of Lent ahead of Easter period, while adding that attractive rates should be applicable.

“We are in effect proposing that schools close for four days after Clean Monday creating in this way a week of holidays during the winter season,” Grigoris Tasios, POX president, told the Athens News Agency, adding that the idea is to “help stimulate domestic tourism, 80 percent of which is made up of families”.

At the same time, Tasios notes, the four days off mid term can be subtracted from the summer holiday period, offering school children the chance to become acquainted with alternative forms of tourism and archaeological sites in other destinations in mainland Greece.

Tasios underlines that the practice is common in Europe and “will help Greek hoteliers and tourism professionals”.

“It is up to us as hoteliers and professionals to introduce friendly rates and good offers,” he added.