Covid-19 Impact on tourism economy Misleading UK Press Impacting Greek Tourism, Says South Aegean Chief by GTP editing team 18 August 2020 written by GTP editing team 18 August 2020 14 comments Share 0FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 71 Rhodes island. Photo Source: Visit Greece South Aegean Region tourism stakeholders are calling on Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis to take action and rectify “false claims” in the UK press with regard to a potential 14-day quarantine requirement for returning travelers after they have visited the region’s islands due to Covid-19. South Aegean Region Governor George Hatzimarkos said in a letter to Theoharis and to Deputy Tourism Minister Manos Konsolas that the UK press appear to have based their stories on inaccurate data with regard to the number of Covid-19 cases in Greece. He is urging the tourism ministry to take immediate action and correct the reports, which he said may potentially hurt bookings to Greece. South Aegean Region Governor George Hatzimarkos. “The said media are basing their arguments after estimating, incorrectly, that the number of cases in Greece has already exceeded the limit of 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants,” Hatzimarkos said in the letter, noting that certain media outlets have failed to add that this data concerns a 14-day period which they have “intentionally or mistakenly left out”, he said. Hatzimarkos goes on to note that the UK authorities are basing their assessments for inclusion on the country’s quarantine list on Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period, in which Greece currently holds a score of 13.6, under the limit of 20, creating a false impression. Representing dozens of popular Greek islands, including Rhodes, Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini, Hadjimarkos is calling on Greek authorities to rectify the misleading press coverage, adding that “the task of facilitating tourism in the midst of a pandemic requires high levels of vigilance, preparedness and cooperation from all”. Join the 15,000+ travel executives who read our newsletter Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece. Share 0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail GTP editing team This is the team byline for GTP. The copyrights for these articles are owned by GTP. They may not be redistributed without the permission of the owner. previous post Greece Set for Local Precautions in Fight Against Covid-19 next post Attica Region Launches Regular Covid-19 Testing at Piraeus Port You may also like Test post 6 June 2025 Greece’s Hotel Market Sees Major Investments Over Four Months 5 February 2025 Greek Tourism Ministry Monitors Santorini Situation as Seismic Activity Continues 5 February 2025 Global Air Passenger Demand Reaches Record High in 2024, IATA Reports 5 February 2025 Greek PM Reassures Public About Santorini’s Ongoing Seismic Activity 5 February 2025 Milos: Ministry Suspends 5-star Hotel Construction Near Sarakiniko Beach 5 February 2025 14 comments Kate Younge 22 August 2020 - 14:43 We were in Pefkos Rhodes for 3 weeks in July. It’s no great hassle to have a couple of masks in your bag to wear in shops and supermarkets. In fact, a friend who lives in Rhodes got us some brilliant masks from an optician in Rhodes town. They are perspex and have glasses type arms, they can be worn over glasses and you don’t get steamed up. I found that we could have a drink using a straw while still wearing the masks. So UK government, stop trying to worry people about having a holiday in Greece. The Greeks need us to visit them, to help the economy and to keep Greece open for now and the future. Reply Kate Younge 22 August 2020 - 14:35 Greece and the islands are the safest place you can go! A very low incidence of covid19. Most islands haven’t had any cases. Beautiful beaches great food the sun from 4am, warm sea, what more could you want?! Reply Pauline Bradley 24 August 2020 - 08:53 We are living in Rhodes it’s so safe everyone adhering to the rules and social distancing feels far safer than uk Reply Graham Hudson 21 August 2020 - 01:40 Its a big city problem not an island issue at all. Reply Andy 20 August 2020 - 21:49 I due to fly to santorini how safe is it because I can’t afford to self isolate on return Reply Lisa 20 August 2020 - 09:41 We are currently holidaying in Mykonos, I have felt more safe here than Britain right now, the hotel is brilliant for safety and the beaches are also safety concious having protection covers over the beds, dont be put off by wrong media information, more dangerous in Britain Reply jayne 19 August 2020 - 19:31 Thank you . Was getting worried Reply Michael Sasa 19 August 2020 - 18:33 We are currently holidaying in Rhodes and too have been concerned over UK press reports of an imminent quarantine. We have even considered cutting our vacation short but have decided, based on the amazing work that our hotel has done in keeping us and their staff as safe as possible, to stay and enjoy this beautiful country, whilst being respectful of local virus control measures. I certainly feel safer here than London. Greece and the Greek people will always have a special place in my heart Reply Julie 19 August 2020 - 18:22 I wish there were more police patrolling to see if tourists/locals are wearing their masks!!! Reply Alan Cain 20 August 2020 - 07:27 I’m currently in Rhodes too. I’m beginning to wonder if the press are under the influence of the UK government getting people to stay in the UK spending their money there. I mean Greece is still under 300 cases a day and last week in Northampton it was 300 cases in one building of the M and S sandwich making factory. Put that in perspective. One building in the UK against the entire nation of Greece? The hysteria whipped up by bad journalism needs to stop. And in Rhodes procedures are followed more than in the UK Reply Nick Formby 20 August 2020 - 13:49 Currently in Halkidiki and feel safer here than UK. Hotel have introduced excellent policies to make us feel safe and enjoy the holiday. British press exaggeration and poor assumptions is redicous. Reply Julie Royall 19 August 2020 - 11:27 There is no need for the 14 day quarantine from every single Greek island- if it is needed then pin point the exact area / island as Greece relies heavily on tourists and this could kill Greece more than COVID- it’s about balancing! Surely common sense ?! Reply Alan Cain 20 August 2020 - 07:59 So are you in Greece now? As my wife has tried to walk in a few shops forgetting her mask and has been roared at every time. People follow protocol here in Rhodes more than in the UK. I don’t feel the Greeks need policing. Reply David Ford 25 August 2020 - 10:57 The worst rate it has got up to in Greece is 15.9 the last seven days up to 24/8/2019 a maximum of 284 in one day. It would take seven constant days of 297+ to reach the 20/100000 so called limit. Most of Greater Manchester are at 30 to 60 per 100000. Leicester etc and lots of other UK areas are well above the 20. Much safer in Greece and especially the islands like Zaknthos with only a very few cases all told. Get a grip UK press and government. Get your own house in order. Reply Leave a Reply to Andy Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
