Independent travellers should book Greek trips by card
30th May 2012
Advice from consumer watchdog Which? urges travellers to Greece this summer to use credit cards when booking and to carry lots of cash
Which? has advised people planning a trip to Greece this summer to use a credit card when making independent bookings. They also recommend visitors travel with plenty of spare cash, both in euros and other currencies, avoiding high denomination notes where possible.
With the country teetering on the brink of the Eurozone, fears have been raised about whether travel to Greece is a good idea. Reports last week warned tourists they may be stranded with little food and fuel if the country leaves the euro. Despite the country's uncertain future, Greek tourism officials responded with promises that it will be possible to continue financial transactions as normal and are urging people not to avoid the country.
According to Deloitte's Graham Pickett, the question of Greece leaving the Eurozone is one of 'when' rather than 'if'. In the event that it does, Pickett reassures travellers that it wouldn't be a 'disaster'. There would be closure of the banks for a few days while the exchange rate was fixed, says Which?, but hotels, restaurants and shops would continue trading with euros during this period and beyond.
Which? recommends booking Greek trips through a tour operator to receive greater protection against disruption and cancellation. However, the independent traveller shouldn't despair because making bookings with a credit card will bring protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, should they be unable to make the trip. Visitors to Greece are also advised to ensure their travel insurance covers for supplier failure in case hotels or alternative accommodation goes bust.
Tourism in Greece from usually reliable Brits and Germans has dropped significantly this year; those who do make the trip over the summer will a bring much needed injection into local economies as well as benefiting from massively reduced prices.
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