The Greek government is offering free holidays to a popular tourist island that people are now avoiding
Rhodes, once a magnet for tourists to the point where locals wished they’d stay away, was hit hard by wildfires. In an effort to aid recovery from the 2023 devastation, the Greek government is now offering free holidays on the island. After last year’s catastrophic wildfires tore through swathes of Greece, evacuees are being given a chance to return to Rhodes for a complimentary one-week holiday, courtesy of the Greek authorities.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has extended the offer for either spring or autumn of 2024, stating it’s to “we make sure they come back to the island and enjoy its natural beauty.”
The idyllic tourist destination was thrown into turmoil as the fires raged. An unprecedented evacuation saw 20,000 people, including many visitors, escape the inferno described by officials as the largest in the nation’s history.
Tourism is a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, with Rhodes being a significant contributor, drawing around 2.6 million tourists last year. The country grapples with the disparity between regions that thrive on tourism and those that don’t, sparking debates over the industry’s impact and sustainability, reports Bristol Live.
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) has revealed that a fifth of Greece’s accommodation and catering turnover, 18.3 percent, is generated in the Southern Aegean region, with Rhodes alone contributing 6.5 percent to the country’s total. A whopping 1.4 billion Euros (£1.19bn) was turned over in the Ionian islands, with Corfu accounting for half of this figure.
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In stark contrast, Central Greece, which is 5,000 times larger than the Ionian Islands combined, only managed to generate 383 million Euros (£326m). Rhodes, a popular destination for cruise ships and known for its tourist crowds, is home to the picturesque town of Lindos.
Once a tranquil fishing village, Lindos now regularly attracts throngs of tourists with its narrow alleys and whitewashed buildings, threatening the very laid-back vibe that made the town popular in the first place.
Despite Rhodes’ rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, many tourists, particularly from the UK, have recently chosen to holiday elsewhere in the country. As a result, The Rodos Week initiative was launched in a desperate bid to rejuvenate the island’s tourism sector.
All holidaymakers who were on the evacuation lists have been offered an e-voucher to offset the cost of a hotel stay similar to their previous accommodation (which has agreed to participate) during the fires. Depending on the category, tourists could receive between 300 and 500 Euros (£426) for their stay.
The locals have been tirelessly working to restore the island to ensure it continues to attract tourists and leave the horrifying wildfires as a bad memory. The Greek government is also hoping to showcase the island’s renowned beauty to travellers through the e-voucher scheme.
