Greece Examines Measures to Simplify Travel Ahead of Brexit

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Measures that include simplifying entrance procedures at Greek airports for British holidaymakers were discussed this week in efforts to facilitate travel after Brexit.

Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis and Alternate Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis.

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis met with Alternate Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis on Tuesday, to examine measures that will apply following Brexit. Other issues on the agenda included accelerating the visa procedure and extending the visa duration for under age travelers.

On the Brexit front, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his intention to trigger a snap general election after lawmakers voted against his Brexit strategy on Tuesday.

Johnson has said he aims to move ahead with Britain’s exit from the European Union on the scheduled October 31 date, with or without a deal.

Concerned that a “no-deal” Brexit would impact Britain’s economy, a number of UK MPs have requested an emergency debate on a bill that would require Johnson to request a three-month extension to the October 31 deadline, unless MPs approve a new withdrawal agreement or vote to allow a “no-deal” departure by October 19.

Meanwhile, British travelers may end up paying a surcharge of up to 8 percent on booked and paid for trips, according to the Independent.

Operators can add the fee any time between booking and 20 days before departure date as long as the surcharge is clearly explained and justified. The customer retains the right to cancel and receive a full refund should the charge be included.

“It’s hard to predict what will happen next with the pound to euro exchange rate but against the backdrop of parliament suspension yesterday and the Brexit deadline fast approaching, it’s highly likely that the pound will face continued volatility as political events unfold,” the head of UK foreign currency provider ICE, Louis Bridger, told the Independent.

Bridger went on to advise British vacationers to plan payment method ahead and to think twice before charging transactions on debit or credit cards, which may incur hefty foreign transaction fees.