Greece is preparing to welcome tourists this summer, regardless of whether they have had a vaccination against Covid-19, Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said in statements to Reuters reported on Friday, ANA reports.
While Greece has led the call for the adoption of a digital ‘vaccination certificate’ to facilitate travel in the summer, it will open to visitors, either way, Theoharis was reported as noting.
“People who are vaccinated, have tested negative or recovered from the disease, and have antibodies are welcome to Greece and we will welcome them irrespective of any agreements,” Theoharis told Reuters.
According to the news agency, Greek revenues from tourism plunged to four million euros in 2020, down from 18 billion euros in 2019, while just 7.4 million people traveled to Greece, down from 31.3 million the year before.
“We will have a better year than last year,” Theoharis stressed. “This is not obvious now because the bookings are depressed… there’s a lot of gloom, a lot of pessimism in the market, but I’m sure in the end my calculation is going to be correct.”
Theoharis dismissed criticism that tourism increased new infections in 2020 as “understandable … but completely unfounded.”
“The second wave which engulfed all of Europe roughly at the end of October, beginning of November, came to Greece at exactly the same time, perhaps even a couple of weeks later,” he pointed out.
Residents of several Greek islands have been vaccinated and Greece plans to vaccinate all tourism workers by summer, following vulnerable groups. Those not vaccinated will be tested at least once a week, Theoharis clarified .
“We have to balance all concerns because we have people who are employed, we have people who need to find jobs,” Theoharis concluded. “This year I think we have more tools in our arsenal.”
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
