– Requests that the existing reservations be excluded
-Negative prospects for Greek Tourism from the excessive increase in charges
With great concern, the German Travel Association (DRV) in a letter to the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, and the Greek government, speaks of a reduction in tourist flows from Germany to Greece, after the surprise, as she characterizes it, announcement of new taxes and fees by the Greek government.
In fact, as mentioned in the letter, which is available to MONEY & TOURISM, “…we would like to point out that German vacationers are extremely sensitive to prices. In recent years we have seen a movement of customers from the western Mediterranean to the east based on prices and a further shift in visitor flows cannot be ruled out. Please take this into consideration.”
Expressing its displeasure, the DRV, which represents travel agents and tour operators in the German market, points out in the letter: “In addition to the levy for cruise passengers, the ‘Climate Crisis Resilience Fee’ is to be increased significantly.”
The Union criticizes the fact that the charges in question were announced suddenly, without prior notification, and that the Greek government requests their immediate implementation, with its president, Norbert Fiebig underlining that “this means a huge additional burden for travel agents in Germany, who will have to shoulder it for existing bookings”, as they cannot pass them on to customers.
In its letter, DRV appeals to the Minister of Tourism, requesting that existing organized travel reservations be exempted from the increase in fees.
In addition, the Union expresses its concern that the Greek tourist product will become too expensive for German travelers, which could deter many holidaymakers from booking Greece.
However, he points out that Greece is again one of the most popular destinations for German travelers this summer. And, as he characteristically states, in the view of the German travel industry, this success should not be jeopardized.
In its warning letter, the Union even leaves veiled hints and hints about the possible movement of German travelers, a development extremely unfavorable for the Greek tourism industry, for which Germany is the first country – “reservoir” of incoming tourism, with over 4 million. arrivals per year.
