At a time when the country's health authorities are giving the first hope for the gradual return to normalcy, tourism operators are particularly concerned about the impact on the country's heavy industry. Given that the influx of visitors from abroad is considered dangerous, experts warn of travel under strict rules and scrutiny.
As revealed by the Minister of Tourism, Haris Theocharis, tourists in Greece will come with a "health passport."
What does that mean? Get your sunblock and beach towel ready! So long as you do not have coronavirus and can prove it.
The big bet on the development of the tourist year is the safe entry and exit of visitors to Greece and for this reason the "health passport" is promoted, as the Minister of Tourism stated, in order to describe a "safe entrance" methodology.
In this regard, Theocharis stated that the EU is being consulted in order for every European citizen who wants to travel to be given a reliable test for the detection of coronavirus.
He even explained that this should be done in the country where the holidaymakers come from. If, for example, it is a German visitor, this test will take place in Germany before coming to Greece.
Theocharis stated that he is in constant contact with major tour operators abroad who express their interest in Greece and expect that the health protection measures will be taken in hotels and other places of tourist interest.
Speaking to SKAI, Theocharis stressed that 2020 will be a 3-month tourist season, noting that July, August and September will lift the weight of the tourist season this year. Of course, he added that there are well-founded indications for the extension of the period into October and November. A prerequisite for the above is, of course, that there be no unexpected developments with coronavirus.
