Greece to Launch Special Vacation Passes for Fire-stricken Evros and Dadia

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Dadia. Photo source: PrimeministerGR.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced plans to launch a special digital “pass” for people that want to holiday in Dadia, northwestern part of the Evros regional unit, throughout the year.

Dubbed “Dadia Pass”, the initiative will launch to support of the area’s local economy and tourism businesses affected by this year’s wildfires.

The Dadia Pass was announced during the PM’s visit to the area and follows the announcement of the Evros Pass in early September.

“The pass, will offer more benefits for those who want to come to Dadia,” said Mitsotakis.

“The government is already in talks with the municipality and the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA) to create new routes in the part of the forest that has remained intact, so that future visitors will have the opportunity to see the forest and familiarize with its reforestation process,” he added.

Dadia forest.

According to Greek media reports, the Dadia Pass will offer its beneficiaries, vouchers worth more than 150 euros to spend during their holidays in the area and cover their accommodation, dining and transportation expenses. The program is expected to be hosted on the gov.gr platform and those interested will be able to apply by using their personal TAXISNET codes.

The pass will be valid throughout the year. The vouchers will be awarded following a draw among beneficiaries who meet certain criteria related to their 2022 income tax return and beneficiary unit (ie. dependent adult children, spouse).

Beneficiaries of the Public Employment Services’ (DYPA) 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 social tourism programs or those receiving similar benefits from other institutions for the same period of time will not be able to apply for the pass.

Evros, City of Alexandroupolis.

Furthermore, Evros main residents will also not be able to apply.

The Evros Pass will also offer vouchers for people to spend their holiday in Evros during the next year and follow an application process similar to that of the “Dadia Pass”.

More details about both passes are expected to be announced soon.

The Evros/ Dadia 2023 wildfires

Photo source: Copernicus.

The Evros/Dadia 2023 wildfires broke near the city of Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece on August 21. Due to its vicinity to the capital of the Evros prefecture the Alexandroupolis General Hospital was vacated while the nearby island of Samothraki experience power outages.

The fire continued to burn for the next two weeks with more than 80,000 hectares of the Dadia forest as well as the surrounding pine forests, charred.

The uncontrollable wildfire also resulted in the death of 18 people found huddled together in the forest, as international media have reported. Dadia is considered a well-known route for migrants.

According to EU officials and scientists the Dadia wildfire is the largest ever recorded within the European Union.