Kastellorizo is the first of several Greek islands with fewer than 1,000 residents that have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus so far, garnering “Covid-free” references in global tourist media, officials told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
Lesser-known, some more remote than others yet with a loyal fan base in the summers, these islands look to the reopening of the tourism season with more optimism in 2021, after a devastating 2020 of cancellations due to the pandemic.
Besides Kastellorizo, vaccination is now complete at Fourni, Kalamos, Kastos, Meganissi, Inousses, Psara, and Thimena. Islands that have already received the first of two vaccine rounds include Agathonissi, Arki, Erikoussa, Gavdos, Halki, Lipsi, Nissiros, Othoni, Mathraki, and Tilos.
Next in line to be vaccinated are Agios Efstratios, Ammouliani, Anafi, Ano Koufonissi, Antikithira, Antipaxi, Dokos, Donoussa, Elafonissos, Farmakonissi, Folegandros, Giali, Iraklia, Kalolimnos, Kimolos, Marathi, Palio Trikeri, Peristera, Psara, Pserimos, Saria, Schinoussa, Sikinos, Telendos, Thimena, Thirassia and Trizonia.
Tourists raise the number of people on the island to double the 500 residents. In high season, Kastellorizo may get as many as 1,000 people, although the island can only accommodate 500 tourists. Nearly eight ferries per week stop at the island, besides the private yachts,
Larger and better-known Greek islands Ios, Andros, Sifnos, and Skopelos, all in the Aegean Sea, are either completing vaccinations or have done so already and look forward to reservations this summer. Ios had very few infections, and vaccinations of residents more than 60 years old has begun, mayor Gkikas Gkikas, while
In the Peloponnese, especially its SE section of Laconia, hotels set aside for possible Covid-19 infections as stipulated by law were not needed, Laconia Hoteliers Association Dimitris Pollalis told ANA-MPA. This year, he said, “we will not have to become nurses in our hotels”, as vaccinations are proceeding briskly and visitors observe health measures. He also expressed optimism for July and August and did not rule out the extension of the tourist season later in the area.
Notis Martakis, head of MTC Group which specializes in communication and whose portfolio contains many island towns, said that sector officials are becoming more aware of how important progress in vaccinations is and how effective it is as an incentive to visitors. As an example, he said that popular islands like Paros that push for faster rates of vaccinations or other islands without any infections that also keep a brisk vaccination program will lead to tourism demand, and that is what his group advises clients.
Highlighting the safety of a destination in terms of the infection is more important than natural beauty in a location, and his group’s campaign is to make professionals and residents agree to follow the measures, he said.
He agreed with Greek government policy in terms of bilateral state agreements in tourism but noted it is also necessary to consider disincentives and address them, such as the cost of tests for those who cannot or lack the time required to become vaccinated before traveling.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
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