EU approves 800 million euro scheme to help Greek tourism industry

·

The European Commission approved an €800 million Greek program for businesses in the tourism industry that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU said on Tuesday.

The scheme was approved under the EU state aid rules and based on the temporary framework for the EU member states’ support, a press release said.

“This €800 million Greek scheme will facilitate access to liquidity for companies active in the tourism sector. They have been hit hard by the pandemic and this scheme will help ensure the continuity of their economic activity in these difficult times,” said EU Vice President Margrethe Vestager, who is responsible for the competition policy.

Tourism is Greece’s most important sector counting more than 20% of its gross domestic product and after months of lockdown restrictions, the government is eager to rejuvenate it following a plunge of 8% in the last year due to the pandemic.

Last month, Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis announced a multimillion-euro promotional campaign aiming to attract more visitors with the slogan “All you want is Greece”.

Travel requirements

According to the latest travel update, all visitors arriving from the EU and Schengen area countries, the US, the UK, Israel, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, Russia, North Macedonia, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Saudi Arabia are allowed entry into Greece without the need to quarantine.

Travelers, however, would need to provide a proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before their arrival or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory or a proof that the traveler tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two to nine months.

In addition, visitors may also be subject to random, rapid tests at the country’s entry points and anyone with a positive result will be required to quarantine at designated isolation hotels covered by the Greek state.

Meanwhile, Greek cases continue to show a decline as 1,007 new cases were recorded on Monday, with the total number of infections counting to 402,306 since the start of the pandemic. Also 41 fatalities were recorded, pushing the total tally to 12,095.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Fans and members rally behind Labi Haliti as Sydney Olympic climbs the ladder

Sydney Olympic FC’s commanding 3-0 win over NWS Spirit FC has not only kept the team’s momentum alive in the 2025 season.

How families celebrated a rare unified Easter

For the first time in eight years, all branches of Christianity—Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox—celebrated Easter on the same weekend.

George Mastrocostas pushes ahead with project amid Gold Coast housing surge

As the Gold Coast races to meet a looming population milestone of one million residents by 2045, George Mastrocostas is pushing ahead.

Tina Stefanou explores Melbourne’s urban fringe in immersive ACCA exhibition

Artist Tina Stefanou’s latest exhibition, You Can’t See Speed, now showing at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA).

Sydney man Zacharias Giatras granted bail after Rockdale crash leaves man critical

Zacharias Giatras, a 19-year-old plumbing apprentice, has been granted bail after being charged over a serious crash in Sydney’s south.

You May Also Like

Students of St Euphemia College band together to build library for flood-ravaged Lismore

Students of St Euphemia College, Bankstown are converting a shipping container into a 'library of resources' for Lismore South Public South.

Tanya and Stan Kapoulitsas rushed to get married to beat SA’s COVID wedding ban

Tanya and Stan Kapoulitsas didn't let SA's six day lockdown stop them from having the wedding of their dreams just before midnight.

Sydney Porsche racer Aaron Zerefos skips Bathurst 12 Hour for Nascar Test

Sydney Porsche racer, Aaron Zerefos, has elected to skip this weekend’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour to pursue a NASCAR test in the US.