Greece Looks to Lessen Impact of Brexit on Tourism

Photo © Heathrow Airport

The Greek Tourism Ministry is working to ensure a timely European level response to the potential impact of Brexit on travel and tourism.

According to an announcement on Monday, at the initiative of Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, dealing with the consequences on European tourism in case of a no-deal scenario in the Brexit process has been included high on the agenda of the European Union. Kountoura’s intitiative was supported by the Greek Foreign Ministry and the Permanent Representative of Greece to the EU, Ambassador Andreas Papastavrou.

The ministry said that, within the context of strengthening emergency measures in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario, Greece proposed and succeeded in setting up a committee to inform Member States on ways to deal with the possible consequences to travel and tourism.

Photo © Heathrow Airport

The committee will provide useful information through a seminar and focus on a range of issues including air connectivity, passenger rights (delays / cancellations of flights), visas, entry-exit controls at the EU’s external borders, licenses and certificates (driving, pet passports), roaming charges, health care issues, control of goods, cruise travel and e-commerce and data transfer.

The Permanent Representative of Greece to the EU, Ambassador Andreas Papastavrou and Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura. Photo source: Greek Tourism Ministry

“This is a great success for Greek tourism,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, Minister Kountoura has been in constant contact with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and leading travel groups (such as TUI and Thomas Cook) for the required actions and next steps post-Brexit, aiming to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted flow of tourists from the UK to Greece. TUI and Thomas Cook transfer a significant share of tourists from the British market to Greece.