Minister to BBC: Greece feels ready for the opening of the tourist season

Greece feels ready for the start of the tourist season, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos said in two interviews with the BBC (to World News and Newsday), while he also fielded questions about the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 'Greece 2.0', ANA reports.
He pointed to the very successful management of tourist flows in 2020, which had helped keep Covid cases to a minimum over the summer, noting that this system would now be further boosted by the ongoing vaccination programme that was making rapid progress.
"We believe that by the end of June, nearly 50 pct of the adult population of the country will be vaccinated, in which case we will have built a significant wall of immunity and will be able to receive tourists from Britain and the rest of Europe," he said.
Asked about the validity of vaccination certificates supplied by visitors, Skertsos noted that there was an agreement with Greece's European partners for a "green vaccination card" system, which will indicate whether the holder has been genuinely vaccinated. Otherwise, visitors must have a negative test result attached to their PLF form, which they must complete before visiting Greece.
He pointed out the EU's green certificate could also be a forerunner to an international anti-Covid certificate, while for non-EU visitors, such as those from Britain, he said they must attach a vaccination certificate or negative test to their PLF form a short time before arrival.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: matti
- 1) Young tourists surprised to meet Greek Prime Minister at Athens International Airport
- 2) SFRC approves resolution marking enduring United States-Greece partnership
- 3) Greek Foreign Minister hosts lunch for outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Athens
- 4) EC: Greece's emergence from enhanced surveillance critical for both Athens and Brussels
12/08 15:08
AP report: CDC drops quarantine and distancing recommendations for COVID-19
12/08 15:06
US Ambassador to Athens meets with Greek Health Ministry leadership
12/08 15:06
US Ambassador to Athens meets with Greek Health Ministry leadership
12/08 15:01
12/08 14:53
Greek museums to organize free concerts and tours on Friday August 12 marking full moon
09/08 21:16
IATA launches AVSEC Insight Platform to assist managing business security risks
09/08 21:04
Dominican Republic among UNWTO members recording strong tourism rebound
09/08 21:00
Greek Culture Ministry's project for the protection of the medieval city of Rhodes
09/08 18:08
Greece records 100,421 new Covid-19 cases and 314 fatalities for August 1-7
09/08 16:12
Archbishop of America: Greek-Americans to fund reconstruction of Balikli hospital
08/08 14:12
Greek Tourism Minister: This year sector proved that is Greece's heavy industry
07/08 13:57
28 lighthouses to open for the public in Greece on August 21
04/08 14:16
Protection and recording of rare biodiversity of 20 archaeological sites in Greece
03/08 23:18
Restoration works to historic Syntagma square of Athens almost completed
03/08 23:10
Greek Tourism Minister meets Ambassadors of Sweden and Norway
03/08 19:13
Greek Prime Minister says record tourism money can’t buffer country’s economic slide
03/08 14:07
Samos Young Artists Festival at Pythagorio Ancient Theatre on August 7-13
03/08 13:21
Greece offers Saudi Prince royal treatment: 350 limos and Athens Acropolis tour
02/08 23:26
Greece records 122,230 new Covid-19 cases and 355 fatalities on July 25-31
02/08 09:50
British Museum offers only to loan Athens Parthenon marbles to Greece
02/08 09:37
UNWTO: Global tourism consolidates strong recovery amidst growing challenges
02/08 09:29
Culture Minister: At least 16,000 people visit Athens Acropolis daily this summer
01/08 20:54
Medical Tourism: Personal Doctor platform opens in Greece on Monday
01/08 09:47
Undated wreck of exploded ship found off Kythnos island in Greece
29/07 14:02
Spain imposes minimum spending for Non-European Union tourists
29/07 00:38
Greek government announces subsidy programme for purchase of e-vehicles
28/07 23:32
Media: Electric aircraft to revolutionize travel and protect ecosystem in Greece (video)
28/07 19:23
Impressive copy of Aphrodite of Milos statue revealed on the Greek Island
28/07 18:40
Greek island of Corfu hosts Prince Edward and British royals
28/07 17:20
German Foreign Minister: Greece one of our closest partners in Europe
28/07 12:28
7th International Documentary Film Festival 2022 'Beyond Borders' on Castellorizo island
28/07 11:49
10th consequent Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Athens Walking Tours
28/07 00:46
UNWTO sets out shared goals and opportunities for sector in Paraguay
28/07 00:26
IATA: States progress towards long term aspirational goal on aviation emissions
28/07 00:15
Sinking averted: Grounded luxury yacht safely anchored in Greek island of Mykonos (videos)
28/07 00:13
Greece and Saudi Arabia ink 16 business deals in Athens on Wednesday
28/07 00:02
Bank of Greece: Higher tourism receipts in 2022 to lead to improved economic growth
27/07 23:48
Travel Market Report: Why shoulder season is the next big tourist trend
27/07 14:20
Fewer asylum seekers but more refugee arrivals up in Greece during June 2022
27/07 00:08
26/07 17:18
Greece records 136,077 new Covid-19 cases and for July 18-24
26/07 15:23
Signing of business deals between Greek and Saudi companies on Wednesday
25/07 21:15
Special climate envoy addresses meeting on 'Our Ocean - Greece 2024' in Athens
25/07 17:08
Athens metro stations to close on selected dates this summer
25/07 15:50
Authentic Marathon Swim | Swimmers from 14 countries supported North Evia
25/07 14:23
Wildfires contained on the Greek island of Lesvos and Ilia prefecture
23/07 00:43
International Air Transport Association issues statement on Dublin Airport charges
23/07 00:09
'Saristra' festival returns to the Greek island of Kefalonia on July 29-31
22/07 21:58
Four-month-old roe deer, named 'Emilios' rescued in Xanthi of Northern Greece
22/07 19:53
Media: Furor in Greece over plan invading protected environmental Natura sites
22/07 15:49
22/07 15:06
Greece's Thessaloniki Urban Transport staff continue mobilisations during August
21/07 21:53
21/07 20:50
21/07 19:40
Media report: Greece rakes in tax and tourist receipts but won’t cut food tax
21/07 18:33
Minister: Duration of Greek passports doubled from five years to ten
21/07 17:44
Greek government adopts 12 measures for fire-stricken households and firms
20/07 23:11
Cyprus Agriculture Minister welcomes win-win deal on halloumi cheese
20/07 19:26
European Union sanctions against Russia push Greece’s fur business toward end
20/07 19:22
AP: Fire subsides in Penteli but reaches people’s yards in Megara of Greece (video)
20/07 17:22
Molecular tests against COVID-19 to record possible mutation at five Greek airports
20/07 14:07
Bus routes changed due to destructive fires in Attica Region
20/07 10:34
Sick air traffic controller draws attention to shortages at smaller airports in Greece
19/07 21:02
Dozens of international celebrities choose Greece again for vacations this year (video)
19/07 19:22
Medical Tourism: Greek parliament approves assistive reproduction bill
19/07 18:21
Greece records 148,435 new Covid-19 cases between July 11-17
19/07 18:13
Organic olives and olive oil from Sparta in Greece studied by American universities
19/07 16:17
US Ambassador to Athens visits Greek village of Diplatanos Thermou
18/07 09:39
Very high risk of fire again on Monday in five Greek regions including Attica
17/07 21:48
Prime Minister: Greece and France stand united against global climate crisis
16/07 13:25
Government: Greece in 12 countries worldwide with full legal equality of women and men
16/07 13:01
IATA: Canadian government urgently needs to remove COVID-19 travel restrictions
16/07 11:34
Greek FinMin pressures banks and servicers for more private debt settlement deals
16/07 10:21
Tourist swept out to sea in Northern Greece saved by holding beachball
15/07 22:35
Village of Melabes in Rethimno of Greece evacuated as widlfire approaches
15/07 21:35
Tourism statistics inform United Nations reports on sustainable development
14/07 23:20
IATA: Premature return to pre-pandemic slot rules risks prolonged disruption
14/07 21:42
"Wolf of Wall Street" Jordan Belfort parties in Greek island of Mykonos
14/07 14:14
14/07 00:12
Thousands of olive trees donated to restore groves of Ancient Olympia in Greece
13/07 20:14
13/07 20:05
Young tourists surprised to meet Greek Prime Minister at Athens International Airport
13/07 16:51
High risk of fire forecast in five Greek regions on Thursday
13/07 14:30
13/07 11:43
OAG survey: U.S. travel demand remains strong for 2022 despite inflation
13/07 09:55
Greek Minister discusses natural gas contingency plan with US Ambassador
12/07 22:37
12/07 21:50
Greece records 13,623 new Covid-19 cases per 1 million people in July 4-10
12/07 21:00
Greek parliament approves amendment to cap profit margins in home appliances
12/07 00:20
UNWTO: Advancing safe mobility for stronger travel sector recovery
11/07 21:32
American ethnomusicologist Christopher C. King receives honorary Greek citizenship
11/07 21:15
11/07 15:19
The first Japanese park of the Greek capital of Athens opens its gates
10/07 21:28
Chinese head of OLP: Piraeus port a significant international hub in all areas of activities
10/07 19:35
Greece records 13,306 new Covid-19 cases and 28 fatalities on Sunday
10/07 18:32
Media report: “Most contagious” COVID-19 wave sweeping across Greece
10/07 16:23
AP report: On Greece’s Santorini, 13 cloistered nuns pray for Mankind
10/07 14:18
08/07 22:53
08/07 22:42
UNWTO chief: Young people must be active participants in tourism sector restart
German media: Erdogan visit to Greece part of effort to re-approach Europe
Opposition leader: Greece didn't gain much from Erdogan visit
US Congresswoman: Turkey must respect the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarch
Greek PM: Only with respect to international law we can live peacefully
Greek Finance Minister signs 3-year deal on tourism in Beijing
Official schedule of Turkish President's two-day visit to Greece
Erdogan: Tsipras promised to extradite alleged coup participants in 15-20 days
Erdogan interview: Bad relations between Greece and Turkey 'a thing of the past'
Greek police arrest 56 far-right Cypriots protesting Turkish President’s visit
Turkish and Greek Presidents clash on Lausanne Treaty (videos)
PM calls on Erdogan to open new chapter in Greek-Turkish relations
Emine Erdogan's visit to Athens Acropolis Museum cancelled due to illness
Kurdistan Cultural Center in Athens protests Erdogan's visit to Greece
Turkish F-16 fighter jets escorting Erdogan’s plane infringed Athens FIR
The 27th Kalamata Dance Festival to take place between July 16-25
Government rejects ‘diplomatic incident’ with Erdogan in Komotini (video)
Report: Nine Greek politicians indicted over wealth declarations
Turkish President concludes Thrace visit with speech to Muslim community leaders
Report: Evzones of the Hellenic Presidential Guard give stern look to Erdogan
IATA: Competitiveness of Swiss aviation crucial for jobs and prosperity
Applications now available for FAITH Executive Education Program in US