Greece’s Crisis Response: Lessons from Heatwaves and Wildfires in New ETC Report

Greece is prominently featured in a new European Travel Commission (ETC) report that analyzes the impacts of and lessons learned from crises affecting tourism in Europe.

The report highlights Greece as a notable example of the challenges posed by various crises, including heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, flooding, strikes, riots, and protests. Specific case studies include the heatwave in Athens and the wildfires on Rhodes in 2023. Additionally, the report covers the impact of flooding in Slovenia, recent seismic activity in Iceland, water shortages in Portugal over the past two years, the effects of the war in Ukraine on tourism in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, and the repercussions of the terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice in 2015 and 2016 on Monaco’s tourism industry.

The report details the following impacts of the 15-day heatwave in Greece, which ended on July 26, 2023, marking the longest on record. During this period, temperatures soared above 40°C across nearly the entire population. The island of Rhodes experienced extreme heat and wildfires, resulting in no human casualties but significant damage: 135,000 hectares of forest and vegetation were burned, over 50,000 olive trees and numerous domestic animals were lost, about 50 homes were destroyed, and mass evacuations of tourists were necessitated.

The impacts on tourism are outlined as follows:

– Athens took the unprecedented measure of closing its top tourist attraction, the Acropolis, to protect visitors when temperatures reached 45°C. Volunteers from the Hellenic Red Cross distributed free water bottles, and first-aid rescue workers were dispatched to the site.
– The wildfires in Greece in 2023 disrupted holiday plans and led to the largest evacuation in Greek history, with 19,000 people—mostly tourists—evacuated from Rhodes.
– The chaotic evacuations significantly impacted the destination’s reputation, raising health and safety concerns and affecting the visitor experience due to increased stress.

The report also acknowledges the efforts of both the central and local Greek authorities, noting that despite the severity of the wildfires on Rhodes, there were no reported human fatalities.

Response to the heatwave in Athens

In response to the unprecedented heatwave, the Municipality of Athens introduced several measures to protect both residents and visitors. They collaborated with scientists to assess the health impacts of heatwaves, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the situation. A new website was launched to offer guidance on staying cool and accessing support during these extreme conditions.

To keep residents informed, an Early Warning Messaging System was implemented alongside a helpline available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The city also introduced the ‘EXTREMA Global’ app, which provides real-time personalized risk information, including maps of cooling centers, routes to cooler areas, and air pollution levels.

In addition to these initiatives, training seminars were organized for municipal staff by the Hellenic Red Cross, focusing on those dealing with vulnerable groups. The ‘Help at Home+’ program, facilitated by Hellenic Red Cross volunteers, provided additional support to the elderly.

Response to the wildfires on Rhodes

Photo source: Region of South Aegean

In response to the wildfires in Rhodes, the Greek government swiftly took action on July 23 by releasing a comprehensive Q&A document for affected tourists. This resource provided crucial contact information and outlined procedures for emergency services, embassy contacts, repatriation, lost documents, and medical assistance.

The Ministry of Digital Governance introduced a financial assistance initiative known as ‘Rodos Week’. This program offered a free 7-day hotel stay to adults evacuated from Rhodes hotels in July 2023, regardless of nationality. Beneficiaries, who were registered by hotels and travel agencies, received an e-voucher called The Rhodes Pass, valued between 300 and 500 euros. This voucher could be redeemed for a stay at a hotel of similar category during specified periods in 2024. The initiative aimed to support the sector’s recovery and restore the island’s reputation while also benefiting participating hotels and travel agencies.

To facilitate this, an online “Rhodos Week” platform was created, providing detailed FAQs and user manuals. A dedicated Helpdesk was also established to assist beneficiaries with additional support.

Be prepared, they say

The report concludes that a key lesson from Greece’s recent tourism crises is that “the ability of destinations to prepare and respond efficiently to natural disasters is increasingly crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of both visitors and residents.”

It also emphasizes that “cooperation to promote various initiatives is essential to reach as many people in need as possible. Although the #CoolAthens initiatives were primarily focused on residents and not promoted to visitors, it is worth considering extending these efforts to tourists if resources, such as translation services, are available.”

Crises hitting the Mediterranean

The report highlights that other Mediterranean countries also face significant challenges. Italy, for example, is dealing with heatwaves and landslides caused by flooding. Turkey, Greece’s neighboring country, has experienced a substantial decline in Russian tourists due to the war in Ukraine. Cyprus is estimated to have lost 90 percent of its second-largest market, Russia, and has entirely lost the Ukrainian market. Additionally, Bulgaria has lost two of its priority tourism markets: Ukraine and Russia.