As of: January 21, 2024, 8:01 a.m
By: Franziska Kaindl
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Greece is offering free holidays to Rhodes for holidaymakers who had to be evacuated from their hotels last year.
© Liubomir Paut/Imago
Last summer, many tourists on Rhodes were affected by devastating forest fires.
Greece now wants to give you a free vacation.
During the summer heat, the risk of forest fires increases in many countries in the Mediterranean region - the Greek island of Rhodes was particularly affected last year.
Both locals and tourists were forced to flee, hotels were evacuated and airlines deployed special flights to bring holidaymakers home.
Last year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised travelers compensation: “For all those whose vacation was shortened due to the bush and forest fires, the Greek government, in cooperation with the local authorities, is offering a week of free vacation next spring or autumn. “There are actually concrete plans for this offer.
Free holidays in Rhodes for tourists affected by forest fires in 2023
According to a report in the Greek newspaper
Kathimerini,
all holidaymakers who stayed in one of the evacuated hotels were eligible for a free holiday, regardless of their nationality.
A seven-day stay in the period from March 15th to May 15th, 2024 or alternatively from October 1st to November 15th, 2024 – i.e. outside the summer season – should be donated.
However, since the risk of forest fires could increase again in July due to rising temperatures, this should probably reassure those affected.
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The government is providing four million euros from the specially established emergency program for financing.
Further details on how affected holidaymakers can book their free holiday still need to be worked out.
However, the offer will soon be made available on the Greek government's website, as the industry portal
FVW
reports, citing the Greek tourist office.