2020 tourism season in Greece to restart on 15th June
The season will begin on 15th June, with the country’s seasonal hotels will open to receive foreign visitors. (Greece’s year-round hotels will open 1st June ).
On this date Greece also begins welcoming back flights from abroad.
From 1st July onwards, all Greek airports will be open to flights from abroad.
The first countries to send visitors to Greece are likely to be Cyprus, Israel, China, Japan, Australia,Norway, Denmark, Austria, Bulgaria, Serbia, Roumania, Albania. Northern Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Poland,Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
According to Mitsotakis, visitors to Greece will undergo sample tests when required and have to abide by the country’s general health protocols, which will be announced soon.
Incoming tourists, however, will not need to have a coronavirus test prior to travel nor will they be quarantined after arrival.
Support measures for Greece’s tourism enterprises:
Employees working less hours will receive almost their same salary through the new employment support program Syn-ergasia.
The social security benefits of workers will also be covered.
The Syn-ergasia programme is funded by the EU’s SURE programme.
TAX CUTS ON TRANSPORT (bus / ship/ plane):
The VAT on the country’s transport tickets will be reduced from 24 to 13 percent.
VAT on package travel will be also be reduced.
FURTHER MEASURES:
-According to Mitsotakis also programmes to support the country’s domestic travellers will be launched.
– VAT on coffee, non-alcoholic drinks served at tables will be reduced from 24 per cent to 13 per cent.
Source: gtp.gr (20 May)
GTP 19th May:
Eleven EU member states, including Greece, on Monday agreed on a set of principles to ensure the freedom of safe travel within the EU, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, through the broadest possible coordination of tourism policies and the gradual lifting of border controls.
The agreement was announced after a video conference of the ministers of foreign affairs of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Austria and Slovenia.
