BBC Visits Zakynthos Finding Empty Hotels and Islanders in Despair

The world-class British network BBC reports that Greek tourism is at an ominous state in light of the coming summer season. A BBC journalist traveled to Zakynthos to write a rather disappointing article about Greece’s once highly successful industry. According to the article, British tourist mobility has dropped by 20%, while German by 50% due to negative media coverage against our country.

The article entitled “Falling tourism alarms Greek islanders” points out that many Europeans are reluctant about visiting Greece due to the widespread “misrepresentation” by the media. Many articles are published on a daily basis in a variety of media frightening tourists away from Greece with fears of  the likelihood that they will come up against riots and violent episodes.

Christina Tetradis, President of the Laganas Hotels Association explains to BBC: “This is all down to a misrepresentation of the situation in the media and it must stop. Whatever is happening in Athens is not affecting the rest of Greece.”

Add to this, the worst fear of all, the “Grexit” fear. Political instability has “led European leaders to openly discuss the possibility of a Greek exit from the Eurozone” and that has damaged tourism according to BBC.  It adds, however, that “prices here would plummet if Greece were to return to the drachma – potentially attracting more tourists.”

The BBC article also made note to tourists finding refuge in Zakynthos and concluded as follows: “This nation – tired of recession and perpetual crises – has its arms wide open to tourists. And any government that comes into power here will face immense pressure to aid a vital industry that could give Greece a chance of emerging from the current darkness.”

Source: www.bbc.co.uk