The boss of a specialist operator has issued a reassurance that holidays this summer will be unaffected by the Greek financial crisis.
Yannis Andricopoulos, co-founder of holistic operator Skyros, denied that holidays would be cancelled “whatever happens either in Greece or in the world.”
He said: “Nothing would disturb the airlines’ schedules or the function of the Greek airports as the unions have decided this year not to interrupt the tourist trade.
“From then on let us take care of you. This means that even if Greece is hit by a new wave of strikes or even riots, which is very unlikely at least during the summer, you won’t be affected.
“We’ll take you by private coach to the Metropolitan hotel on the Athens coast, far from any potential trouble spot, and then on to Skyros island where life goes on as it has for generations.
“The Skyros ferry, owned by the Skyrians, has never gone on strike.”
Andricopoulos added: “A Greek default, although likely, is anything but certain as the troika [European Commission, European Central Bank and the IMF] may well choose eventually to make concessions to Greece in order to avert it.
“If that is to happen, we’re back to ‘normal’ times, whatever normal is in our times. If Greece, on the other hand, defaults, the Greeks will celebrate before they try to come to terms with their very, very painful new world.”
He said the company had the responsibility to meet holidaymakers’ requirements when they have paid in sterling
“You may, of course, experience some difficulties if cash machines and electronic banking systems freeze up. But this will not affect you if you bring in a couple of hundred euros spending money. If need be, we can offer the facility to provide euros on-site,” said Andricopoulos.