Greek Professionals Welcome Aid for Covid-19 Tour Bus Losses

Greek tourism enterprises operating buses welcomed on Friday the approval of 20 million euros in aid to cover Covid-19-related losses in July and August.

The General Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET) said the joint ministerial decision on the initiative of Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis and announced by Alternate Finance Minister Theodore Skylakakis this week is a “very important breath of air” providing much needed relief for sector businesses which own and run tour buses.

According to GEPOET, which represents tourist agencies and operators as well as tourist coach companies in Greece, of the total 20 million euros, companies will be eligible for an average 3,600 euros, with an 0.87-euro subsidy for each reserved seat, due to Covid-19 health protocols, per month.

GEPOET President Aris Marinis said professionals were satisfied with the decision and thanked Minister Theoharis for “hearing our concerns and taking the initiative to push forward our request for compensation. This is a very important economic breath for the people in our industry who were so affected by the coronavirus pandemic, especially in the summer”.