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Greece’s economic uncertainty hits sales

Enquiries and late bookings for Greece are being hit by the uncertainty around the country’s economic situation.


New elections have been called for June after coalition talks to form a new government failed this week.


Greece could be forced to leave the euro if the country refuses to implement spending cuts agreed by the EU.


Greece specialist Sunvil Holidays, which carries 18,000 passengers a year to the destination, reported bookings to Greece for this summer to be 12% down. It has cut capacity for May by 7% in response to a gradual decline in bookings.


Managing director Noel Josephides said: “Since last week’s elections our Greece bookings have slowed. The biggest worry is the uncertainty and that will mean late bookings may be affected.”


Travel search site Skyscanner reported flight searches to Greece were down 8% this week on last week, suggesting recent events were affecting holidaymakers’ choices.


Maria Whiteman, managing director of online travel agent Directline Holidays, said: “It is possible holidaymakers could be put off by demonstrations or holiday security but we aren’t anticipating a decline.”


Tui Travel and Thomas Cook expect Greece to remain a popular summer choice but are keeping a “close eye” on the situation. A Tui spokesman added: “The flexibility in our business model gives us the ability to move capacity.”


The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s overall level of advice for Greece has not changed.

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