Travelling to Greece? Use these 5 tips to avoid holiday catastrophe
Each year roughly two million British tourists visit Greece. But this week will see whether the country defaults on its debt to the IMF or accepts a deal to remain part of the eurozone. Chaos could ensue.
The tumult raises some serious questions and warnings for tourists about to travel.
IBTimes has rounded up a list of five concerns and considerations that all Britons travelling to Greece should be thinking about.
1. The threat from political violence and terrorism are very real as there is strong opposition in the population against accepting more austerity economic policies in an EU deal, warns the UK Foreign Office. According to travel agency Abta, Syntagma Square in Athens' city centre can be a particularly tricky place when protests break out.
2. If you spot an attractive and low-priced piece of Greek property on holiday, you may want to think twice about buying. Prices have fallen 6.1% in the past year and analysts believe property may continue to devalue over the coming year, potentially falling by as much as half their current value.
3. Armed and random assaults in Athens have been on the rise and attributed to decreased coverage by police due to budget cuts and austerity measures. Youth unemployment is at 49.70% and is a contributing factor.
4. Significant increase in burglaries of both occupied and unoccupied residences and apartments have also been tracked by the United States Department of Diplomatic Security.
5. It would take around a year and a half before the Drachma would be reintroduced if Greece leaves the Euro, so there are no major risks there. Because of the Greek banks' instability, tourists are advised to bring cash. "While there are some issues that would be outside Visa's control," a Visa spokesman told the BBC, "we would work ... to help ensure a swift transition to a new currency with the minimum possible disruption to consumers and retailers."
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