Supporting Wildfire-Affected Tourists: Free Holidays Offered in Rhodes, Greece
When wildfires broke out on the popular Greek island of Rhodes in July, thousands of people were forced to evacuate, including plenty of tourists.
Greece is now offering those tourists another chance to vacation on the island—for free.
Officials in the country announced Wednesday that tourists whose vacations were impacted by the fire are eligible for a free week-long stay on Rhodes in 2024, according to Reuters.
“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, [or] the next fall, so that we make sure they come back to the island and enjoy its natural beauty,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Britain’s ITV.
The move is hardly surprising given that tourism is the primary economic engine for the country, which in 2018 finally rebounded from its massive debt crisis.
The wildfire that disrupted vacations on the island of Rhodes forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate, a figure that includes both tourists and locals. Officials said the July 18 fire triggered the largest evacuation that has ever taken place in Greece.
About 15 percent of the island was ultimately impacted including about 45 buildings that were damaged. However, Mitsotakis said the situation is now under control.
“Not a single human life was lost in Rhodes, and no injuries were reported… We understand that guests have been inconvenienced, but I am happy to tell you that Rhodes is more welcoming than ever. The island is back to normal,” Mitsotakis said on ITV.
While not unusual, wildfires throughout the region are becoming increasingly intense amid the worsening fallout from climate change.
The details surrounding how impacted travelers can claim their free week have not yet been released. Not everyone is happy with the new plan to give away all-expense paid vacations to international visitors. The BBC reported that locals have begun taking to social media to express their frustration with how they are being slighted.
“Greeks may not get to go on vacation, but they will pay for foreigners’ vacations,” said one user of X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Not a single day of paid hotel for the locals, Greeks and immigrants, who lost their homes all over Greece and slept in the ruins,” said another.
One of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, Rhodes is known for its beaches and medieval old town.
Greece is also grappling with other tourism-related challenges this summer. Amid growing overtourism impacts, government officials also just announced this week that only a certain number of travelers will be able to visit the Acropolis of Athens each day, starting next month.