Dubai confirmed Sunday it would be shifting its airport operations from the current Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport “within the next 10 years.”
A world first: Greek government compensates tourists affected by wildfires
15.04.2024 - 15:25 / euronews.com / Kyriakos Mitsotakis / Saskia ODonoghue
Following last summer’s devastating wildfires on the island of Rhodes, Greece has announced it’s giving thousands of affected holidaymakers free trips.
In July 2023, thousands of tourists were forced to flee Rhodes as the fires tore through the popular destination.
Under the programme, those who were staying in hotels evacuated due to the fires will be able to take advantage of vouchers of up to €500 to cover accommodation for a week-long stay.
Up to 25,000 affected holidaymakers are now eligible for the compensation, which will also help to rebuild tourism in Rhodes.
The e-vouchers will be valid in the island's shoulder seasons - from now until 31 May and then again from 1 October to 15 November.
The scheme is a world first, following months of red tape and discussions to get the go ahead.
Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, the Greek tourism ministry’s general secretary, Myron Flouris, explained, “It’s been a very complicated process not least, I think, because we’re the first country in the world to do this.”
Tourism officials in Rhodes say take-up has already been strong, with over 5,000 future holidaymakers already enrolling.
They expect applications to be even higher for the autumn dates, when more people are aware of the scheme.
Compensation awarded will reflect the amount evacuated travellers originally paid to tour operators and will range from €300 to €500 - but will only be available at hotels rather than Airbnbs and other private accommodation.
The initiative was put in place in August last year, when Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced it on British TV show Good Morning Britain.
That promise was made just days after those stranded were forced to cut short their trips; the majority made to flee were British tourists.
Mitsotakis was behind the mass evacuation as a preventive measure in July last year - and he returned to the island this week.
Speaking at the appropriately-named ‘EU Tourism: Resilience in the Era of the Climate Crisis’ press conference, he explained that wildfires are likely to continue due to climate change.
“All of the Mediterranean is a hotspot for climate change. That, statistically, means we will have more fires and probably more floods.”
Adding that what mattered most was safety, he continued, “It wasn’t easy… to evacuate 25,000 visitors but we did it safely and we are very proud of the fact that we managed to confront this crisis essentially without mourning [the loss] of human life.”
Many UK holidaymakers visit Rhodes with the help of tour operators, like Jet2, TUI and Thomas Cook, but they must now liaise directly with the Greek government to obtain their vouchers.
Thomas Cook has advised its customers to contact the Greek tourist board, Rhodes authorities and
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
insider.com
28.04.2024 / 14:29
I've stayed at every Disney World hotel — these 5 are actually worth every penny
I've been going to Disney World for almost 30 years, and in that time, I've been lucky enough to stay at every single hotel the company has to offer.
forbes.com
28.04.2024 / 13:53
The World’s Best Tequila—According To The 2023 Barleycorn Awards
Cinco De May0 is right around the corner and American drinkers are expected to toast to the holiday with roughly 127 million liters worth of tequila. While the annual holiday is a relatively minor observance south of the border (commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862), in the US it’s turned into a sweeping celebration of Mexican culture.
forbes.com
26.04.2024 / 15:49
New Greek Resorts, Golden Visa Countries And More Travel News
With summer fast approaching, there are recently opened hotels and resorts in Greece to consider. From popular escapes such as Mykonos and Santorini to the lesser-known islands across the Aegean chain, here are five new Greek hotels worth checking out—and into.
insider.com
25.04.2024 / 13:17
Forget Mykonos and Santorini, Syros is the best Greek island. Here are 10 of my favorite things to do there.
Tourists flock to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini every summer. But people are finally starting to catch on to the fact that many popular destinations are overpriced and overcrowded.
euronews.com
24.04.2024 / 14:29
Dubai airport disruption: Here’s what to do if you’ve been affected
Following days of chaos at Dubai International Airport, the head of Emirates Airline has published an open letter, offering his “most sincere apologies to every customer who has had their travel plans disrupted”.
skift.com
23.04.2024 / 20:27
Atlanta Tourism Chief Talks World Cup, Deal With Michelin
FIFA World Cup fans are going to need a home base as they follow their favorite teams across North America in 2026. A top contender is Atlanta, said Discover Atlanta CEO and President William Pate, who sits on the city’s hosting committee.
euronews.com
23.04.2024 / 09:37
Travel warning issued for LGBTQ+ tourists in Greece. Where in Europe is safest for queer people?
When same-sex marriage was legalised in Greece back in February, LGBTQ+ campaigners celebrated.
forbes.com
20.04.2024 / 14:32
Disney World Earns Its First Michelin Star
Michelin and Mickey Mouse now coexist in one spot, thanks to the Michelin Guide Florida.
theguardian.com
19.04.2024 / 12:02
‘A water world teeming with wildlife’: readers’ favourite national parks in Europe
One of the most incredible bird scenes in Europe took place as I hiked through the Bielawa nature reserve in northern Poland, about 40 miles north of Gdansk. I had left the village of Sławoszyno via a dirt track and was heading towards Kłanino, the open countryside and fields disappearing from my sight as the hedgerows grew taller either side of me. As I stepped forward, a gap appeared in the hedge and in front of my eyes a flock of nearly 100 cranes, which had been silent, took off across the field, honking with their red-tinged heads and faces, and feathery wing feathers flapping. I could almost touch them. The 19,000-hectare (47,000-acre) park is a mix of forest, wetland and coast. Rita
insider.com
18.04.2024 / 19:05
I stayed at Disney World's most expensive hotel that costs $900 a night. Here's what it was like and why it was worth every penny.
Even though I only live a couple of minutes from Disney World, I still enjoy a staycation. I was very excited to reserve a stay at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
travelandleisure.com
18.04.2024 / 18:15
This Major U.S. Airport Was Just Named the Busiest in the World
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has once again been crowned the busiest airport in the world, serving a whopping 104.6 million travelers in 2023. The Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, published its annual rankings on Monday. Most notably, Atlanta’s international airport saw an 11.7% increase in traffic from the previous year when it also ranked as the busiest airport in the world. The demand for domestic flights remained robust, with ACI’s report indicating a recovery of 96.8% of the 2019 passenger traffic level. However, the most encouraging trend was the resurgence of international air travel, which experienced a robust 36.5% growth and welcomed 90.4% of passengers from pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.