The trade remained confident this week that Greece bookings would not suffer from a potential currency change in the country.
Talks between Greek and EU officials last weekend in Brussels failed to reach an agreement that would release bailout funds to Greece. Eurozone finance ministers met to discuss the situation on Thursday (June 18) and an emergency summit has been called for Monday after no resolution was reached.
If a deal cannot be struck, Greece could default on its loans and leave the single currency. This could have several implications for tourists if the government were to freeze cash withdrawals.
Sunvil chairman Noel Josephides said: “Greece is selling much better than it has for a long time for the peak season. Generally, it’s cheaper at the moment to book a package than a no-frills flight and hotel.
“We cut our capacity for this year because we felt there was too much in the marketplace. Sales for this summer are not particularly worrying us. Late bookings for this month are going very well.”
Aito revealed the results of a consumer survey which suggested that Greece was among the top-five destinations that Britons intend to visit over the next 12 months.
Figures from the Bank of Greece show that in the first quarter, tourism revenue from the UK increased by 25%.
Christina Kalogera, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK & Ireland, said UK arrivals for the first four months of the year were up by 38%, against an overall rise of 46%.
An Abta spokesman said it was monitoring the situation but did not expect tour operators to need to rebook customers.
“Any switch to a new currency would take time,” he said. Abta recommends taking euros and cards to Greece, and for all visitors to purchase travel insurance.