Greeks Put Vacation Plans on Pause Due to Covid-19

Covid-19 and the faster-spreading Delta variant has put Greeks’ holiday plans on hold with one in two opting to stay put, according to a nationwide study released by the Association of Business and Retail Sales of Greece (SELPE) this week.

Carried out in collaboration with ELTRUN, the E-Business Research Center of the Athens University of Economics and Business, the study found that eight in 10 (83 percent) people surveyed believe the economic impact of the pandemic will continue into 2022. 

The study found that Covid has impacted holiday plans for many Greeks with just 15 percent saying they will continue with their annual holiday plans. A total of 25 percent said they will go on holiday but for a short period of time compared to other years, and almost half (46 percent) said they will not go on vacation.

Indicative of the fear of infection, 21 percent of those polled said they would continue to wear masks even after the pandemic subsides.

According to the study’s analysts, findings indicate a change of attitudes compared to earlier in the year, particularly after the emergence of Delta, the spike in Covid cases, and the impact on the economy and jobs.

Demonstrating concerns, 61 percent said the number of cases and 55 percent said self-testing of staff affect their decision to travel or shop.

At the same time, 42 percent said they were gradually returning to normal activities unaffected by the rate of vaccination. The majority, at 72 percent, said they had either been vaccinated or were planning to.