The fires that have been blazing in Greece (and especially on the island of Rhodes) for several days now, and how they are expected to affect the Greek economy and tourism, are covered in an article in the New York Times.
Emphasizing the islands and citing the sweetness of climate change, the most severe fires have engulfed “only parts of a few islands,” the American publication writes. But the effects of climate change pose a much bigger threat to Greece’s tourism industry.”
The NYT writes about the island of Rhodes: “As thousands of tourists fled the fire that engulfed the Greek island of Rhodes, locals are left with scorched earth and ashes from cypress, olive and pine trees around deserted bars, shops and hotels. Many fear their livelihood has collapsed for a time, or perhaps and for the future if visitors, who are the main source of income for the island, do not return.”
“It was green, but it turned black” says George Tirelis, who manages several villas in the south of Rhodes, which are now empty and surrounded by charred earth. “Tourists are now afraid to come.”
The New York Times notes that Greece, like many other European countries, depends on tourism during the summer months to pay for the rest of the year, and “its economy relies heavily on the attractiveness of the crystal clear sea and picturesque scenery.”
The article also highlights that the fires that have spread since last week have shattered the country’s image as a holiday destination, triggering what officials say is the largest evacuation in recent history, with massive damage to buildings and the environment, and at least two deaths. .
Changing of the climate
The NYT reports on climate change and its impact on the Greek economy: But as climate change exacerbates the suffocating heat and drought that fuel wildfires, it also raises long-term questions about the Greek economy and the people who live there.
On Wednesday, firefighters were still battling the fires, including more fires on the mainland, and their efforts were complicated by increasingly dry and hot conditions as another heat wave hit Greece. Temperatures are expected to reach 46 degrees Celsius, or around 115 degrees Fahrenheit, in central Greece on Wednesday, with extreme fire risk in six areas.”
The NYT writer continues:“At the same time, the tourism sector was mobilized. Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni held an emergency meeting and, speaking on BBC radio on Monday, urged tourists who had booked tickets to Rhodes to go anyway, as the fires affected only a small part of the island. According to him , steps are being taken to promote the island as a “uniquely beautiful and safe destination”.
Bell – “It’s Raining Cancellations”
However, as highlighted in the US media article, fears go far beyond Rhodes, and representatives of the tourism industry are sounding the alarm.
“It’s a rain of cancellations,” Panagiotis Tokouzis, vice president of the Hellenic Tourism Confederation, told a Greek radio station on Monday, adding that the problem is not limited to the islands. “Tourism throughout the country has suffered.”
The industry is already suffering, Tokouzis said, with fewer tourists in Greece this year in May and June after months of high inflation and economic troubles around the world.
“Everyone expected that July and August would pick up the numbers,” he said. “Unfortunately, this (the fires) happened now.”
Although hotels on Rhodes mostly suffered only external damage, according to local tourism companies, Tokouzis noted that 30% of bookings on the island were canceled for the next two weeks, which means losses in the millions.
The NYT goes on to do a quick… retrospective of the fires: “Forest fires have engulfed many parts of Greece in recent years, from the seaside town of Mati, where more than 100 people died as a result of fires in 2018, to the northern part of the island of Evia in 2021. This year, the fires have spread to the south of the island (Evia), and also to areas of Corfu, another popular tourist destination.”
Data from tourism data analysis organization TCI Research suggests that fires in the past have only caused a temporary drop in Greece’s online reputation.
Ominous Predictions
However, as the scale and intensity of heat wavescreating more favorable conditions for fires, some tour operators fear that the damage will be permanent.
Miltiadis Helmis, head of the Euboea Hoteliers Association, said that in a country heavily dependent on tourism, conditions exacerbated by climate change are a major concern.
“If the situation does not change, tourists will try to find cooler places,” Helmis said. “Even animals are denied.”
Heat waves can “reduce the attractiveness of southern Europe as a tourist destination in the long term, or at least reduce demand in the summer”, Moody’s rating agency said on Monday, predicting “negative economic consequences given the importance of the industry.”
More Stories
The Minister of Health called the protesters "insignificant people, kafirs"
Gold Switzerland: “We are in the last 5 minutes of our financial system – the collapse of everything is approaching”
Union of Judges: “People’s courts were created against us with the loyal attitude of the government”