As observed by tourism operators, the impact of the events in Istanbul on Greek tourism will be more clarified within the following weeks, as much will depend on the duration and the development of the mass protests with a focus on Taksim Square.
In the meantime, the “clouds” seem to be concentrated over tourism in Turkey, as there have already been some booking cancellations or trip postponements. Tour operators point out that the problem hasn’t reached the North Aegean and the Dodecanese islands, for the time being.
According to the operators, it is still too early to make assessments on whether the mass mobilization of citizens at Taksim will have an influence on tourism in the Greek islands-either negative (due to their proximity to the Turkish coasts) or positive (as it is possible that some scheduled trips to Turkey will be diverted to Greek destinations.)
However, according to information – not officially confirmed- it is possible that some cruise ships which are about to moor at Turkey, will change their course to the Greek islands.
Rumors have reached Kos. “At the moment, the only thing we know is based on rumors, according to which arrivals in the neighboring country have been affected, especially after the notam issued in the USA and Britain. We are waiting to see how this will affect our tourism, but it’s still early. I estimate things will be more clear in a week or two,” the President of the Hellenic Association of Travel Agents, Sophia Dimopoulou, told AMNA.
On his part, the Vice President of the Rhodes Travel Agents Association, Konstantinos Katsivas, noted that the island is “as calm as before” and that for the moment, there’s no effect from the events in Istanbul. As he said, there’s an unconfirmed rumor that some cruise ships, which are scheduled to moor in Turkey, are considering to change their course to Rhodes.
According to information from reliable sources, a mammoth cruise ship, carrying about 3,500 passengers, which was scheduled to tie in Turkey, asked for information whether there’s a free berth in Rhodes, on June 11. However, for the time being, it hasn’t confirmed its arrival.
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