Guest Author - Julie Fredrick
It seems like lately, every time I turn on the news or read the business section, Greece’s financial crisis is staring me in the face. I am in no way a financier, but for me, the issue begs to ask the question, how is this crisis affecting tourism to Greece?
Being the optimist that I am, I typically begin such dilemmas with….”Fist, the bad news…”
Strikes by workers are possible. In trying desperately to cut back on expenditures and balance its finances, the jobs, pay and benefits of state workers are likely to be cut, if not altogether eliminated. The Greek workers, protective of what they have earned, will fight back from these cost-cutting measures by strikes and possibly protests.
As early as 2009, some transportation companies were cutting back their schedules. More drastic scheduling changes are expected this year. However, with Olympic Air stabilizing and the possible mergers of smaller airlines, air flights to most of the Greek Islands likely will not be negatively impacted.
Next, the good news.
The Euro is strong in Greece and other European countries at this time, adding value to your travel dollar.
Some hotels and restaurants may not open as scheduled, especially in the less-touristy areas, making bargaining power greater. This will especially be true during shoulder season, which in Greece is April-May and September-October.
Many travelers, especially Americans, are wary of traveling to financially unsound countries, thus creating fewer crowds at monuments, hotels, resorts and restaurants. Keep in mind that nightlife will likely still be lively, because as a rule, the Greek citizens love to party.
What can you, as a traveler, do?
First and foremost, continue ahead with your plans to travel to Greece. If people cancelled travel plans based on the fear of what might happen, no one would ever leave home.
Plan to be inconvenienced. If you are, then you were prepared. If not, what a pleasant surprise.
Make sure to take your guidebook or laptop to research alternatives. If something you had planned to see is closed, find something else. It may work out to be even better.
If you are not sure if a sight is open or closed, call ahead! You don’t want to waste time getting to a monument only to find it is closed.
So go to Greece, expect the unexpected, and keep an open mind. This may well turn out to be your best trip yet!
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