Greek tragedy puts spotlight on tourists

OPERATORS claim Greek resorts need to improve the way they manage tourists following the fatal stabbing of a British holidaymaker in Faliraki.

Federation of Tour Operators director general Andy Cooper said Greek authorities needed to learn lessons from destinations such as Ibiza on how to cope with an influx of young tourists.

Cooper said: “They need to develop sensible policies and practical solutions for dealing appropriately with large numbers of tourists.” Ibiza responded to problems by putting extra police in San Antonio during peak season, he added.

The Spanish Tourist Office said 5,091 extra police are put in tourist destinations from July 1 to August 31 every year.

First Choice Holidays product director Tim Williamson agreed local authorities should look at the current procedures and said it encourages clients to behave sensibly.

The latest incident – which saw a 17-year-old stabbed after a bar brawl last Tuesday – follows a crackdown by Faliraki officials on boozy behaviour. Operators now have to apply for licences before organising pub crawls and plain-clothed police officers have been drafted in.