Authorities in Greece have announced that the country’s Ministry of Tourism is offering free trips to thousands of tourists whose holiday in Rhodes was disrupted last summer, when wild fires devastated the Greek island. Close to 25,000 tourists may be able to benefit from vouchers entitling them to up to a week’s free vacation.
In July of 2023, several fires broke out across Greece, their intensity more severe by climate change, according to the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Thousands of tourists had to be evacuated from their hotels in Rhodes.
A month later, the prime minister promised that tourists would be able to return for a week’s free vacation. Appearing on UK broadcaster ITV’s breakfast news program, Good Morning Britain, Mitsotakis said: “For all those whose holiday was cut short as a result of wildfires, the Greek government in cooperation with local authorities will offer one week of free holidays on Rhodes, next spring, the next fall, so that we make sure they come back to the island and enjoy its natural beauty.”
Rhodes is perfectly safe and back to normal. As we have demonstrated, we place a great emphasis on safety. There are no active wildfires as we speak, and today the island is more welcoming than ever. pic.twitter.com/Zk1jQreRbJ
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) August 2, 2023
After the damaged caused by the fire, operations began to return to normal in the fall of 2023.
“Rhodes is back! We are pleased to announce that the operational state of emergency has expired on the island of Rhodes,” said the Greek Tourism Ministry, adding the islanders are “looking forward to continuing to offer their care and unique hospitality to foreign visitors”.
Describing the areas requiring repairs and restoration as “limited”, the regional governor said tourism had already returned to “business as usual. The Hotel Association of Rhodes has said it is expecting 100% of accommodation will soon be back and functioning and says the island is “fully operational, welcoming thousands of tourists daily.”
The offer made by Prime Minister Mitsotakis in August of last year is now “up and running, as promised by the Prime Minister”, Myron Flouris, Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, told The Guardian last week.
Tourists who had to be evacuated will now be able to redeem e-vouchers ranging from 300 to 500 euros to cover hotel costs for a week. The initiative, however, was not easy to implement. “It’s been a very complicated process, not least because we’re the first country in the world to do it,” Flouris told the British news outlet.
What is the financial support available?
Beneficiaries are granted a one-time, week-long free stay (7 days) in a hotel of similar category (star rating) and room type to the one they stayed in during the fires. The specific financial support is provided as a travel voucher (e-voucher), including a monetary value equal to what the beneficiary is entitled to, as described below.
The compensation amounts of the hotels, for the free of charge accommodation of 7 (seven) days of the beneficiaries, are defined as follows:
- For hotels with 1, 2, or 3 stars and up to triple room type: €300 for the entire stay
- For hotels with 1, 2, or 3 stars and above triple room type: €400 for the entire stay
- For hotels with 4 or 5 stars and up to triple room type: €400 for the entire stay
- For hotels with 4 or 5 stars and above triple room type: €500 for the entire stay
How to apply for the vouchers?
To get the vouchers, interested parties will have two slots: the first from April 4 and running until May 31; and the second from October 1 to November 15. “Anyone who stayed in the areas affected by the fires is eligible,” said the Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Tourism.
Already 5,000 people have come forward to take part in this large-scale operation. It only applies to hotels and not “private Airbnb-type accommodation”.
The affected tourists will have to fill in a form to check their eligibility. Those concerned will be able to select an accommodation of their choice among the hotels listed. A minimum of six consecutive nights must be booked.
