Travel associations in the UK, France and even Germany say that bookings for holidays in Greece have been strong and that they have not had cancellations.
There is evidence to suggest that people may be being lured by the idea of cheaper-than-ever prices. German travel search site Kayak.de said hotel prices for this week were down 8% over last year, while Skyscanner in the UK said some return flights in July could be had for just £79.
Searches for flights to Greece from Britain increased by 12% in June, according to travel search engine Skyscanner, while bookings for July and August went up by 14%
Greece remains popular with holidaying Germans."We are still taking bookings for Greece and there is no change in the levels," said a spokesman for Thomas Cook in Germany.
This was seconded by the DRV travel association DRV which said bookings since May had risen strongly.
"This shows that Germans are not being put off by the headlines on the financial crisis," the association said.
One French tour operator reported that its hotels and flights were already close to full.
Interest among Spaniards also perked up, with flight searches up by 20% last week.
Some 22 million people visited Greece last year, with tourism comprising 18% of the economy.
"It is currently very much business as usual. We have had no reports of shortages, food, medical or otherwise in resorts," a spokeswoman for British travel association ABTA said.
Tourists are advised to take plenty of cash in small denominations.
Comments
And is posted to counteract the recent spate of news like the UK newspaper Express telling us :
"UP to 50,000 tourists a DAY are cancelling their holidays to Greece - as the debt-crippled country sees food stocks plummet and cash reserves dry up ahead of Sunday's crucial referendum".
Website searches may be up but is it at the luxury end that Greece needs or just last minute back packers acting on a whim and seeking bargain basement prices ? Surely pre-booked cancellations at the upper end are what matters.
Remember ex-Finance Minister Varoufakis's luxury villa can be rented for 5,000 euros a week. About the Greek minimum annual wage. As he finishes his next book - provisionally titled 'Game Theory playing with Nations' he may also be there for peace and quiet - so let you rent just a wing or floor of it. Ask him on Twitter.
http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/588572/Greece-crisis-tourists-cancel-holidays-food-rus-out-cash-gone