With the 2020 tourism season looming just ahead, Greece faces several serious challenges that could end up stifling industry growth.
EU
European Destinations Register High for World Travelers This Year
The European Travel Commission (ETC), the European Tourism Association (ETOA), Eurail B.V., and the European Commission, have just released the latest Long-Haul Travel Barometer (LHTB), which indicates that the sentiment for travel to Europe from January-April 2020. The publication shows positive in six key overseas markets – Brazil, China, India, Japan, Russia, and the US and provides the European tourism sector […]
Greece’s Remote Villages and Islands Get Wi-Fi and More Tourists
An EU project to give Wi-Fi access to locals and tourists at remote villages and islands. Already, more tourists are booking.
EU Extends No-deal Brexit Air Travel to October 2020
UK airlines will continue flights to the EU through to 24 October of 2020 in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
FYROM Extends Olive Branch to Greece Over Naming Row
In news from Skopje, Macedonia’s left-wing government renames Alexander the Great Airport to Skopje International in order to quell tensions with Greece.
EU May Force Visa Reciprocity With US and Canada
European Commission officials are mulling over whether or not to temporarily suspend American and Canadian citizens’ right to enter EU states without a visa. In possible move to force the two North American countries to offer reciprocity for EU states; Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and two other EU member states, the commission entered into debate to move forward the stalled talks on the subject.
Greece Tourism Sinking Like A Rock
According to news from the Bank of Greece, receipts from travel in January decreased by 4.7% year on year, corresponding to a decline in arrivals of 7.8%. Currently Greece’s deficit is at €742 million, up some €461 million euro from the same time last year. The news comes at the worst possible time as economic and political pressures mount in the region.
Brussels Travel Advisory: Threat Level 4
The UK and other governments have issued a travel advisory for citizens traveling throughout Europe in the wake of the Brussels bombings. Explosions at Zaventem International Airport today, 22 March, 2016, accompanied by another blast at Maalbeek station in central Brussels, have caused fairly major travel disruptions and concern.
If Schengen Borders Go Up, Billions Will Be Lost
According to news from various sources, the 26-country Schengen area could suffer a huge blow to its tourism sector stemming from the migrant crisis. Border formalities once eliminated to facilitate ease of travel, may soon be re-instituted if the crisis persists. Some experts fear, if the Schengen zone goes, the EU won’t be far behind.
Belarus and Slovenia talk closer economic ties
Belarus and Slovenia have begun talks to establish a Minsk-Ljubljana air service. The topic, raised in the 4th session of the Belarusian-Slovenian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and sci-tech cooperation, could mean a bilateral agreement soon.
EU Can Count Out Another Russian Tourism Company
As the tensions in between Russia and western powers continue, news of another Russian tour operator supending operation does not ring a positive note for Europe travel in general. According to ITAR-TASS, some 4,000 plus customers of Russia’s bankrupt Yuzny Krest Travel tour operation, who are vacationing overseas, my need assistance returning home.
Russia’s Dobrolet Airlines in Holding Pattern Over Europe
The “boomerang effect” of US and EU sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin foretold of may be about to hit Europe travel businesses hard. The newly launched Russian low-cost Russian airline, has been forced to suspend its operations after the European Union (EU) sanctioned the airline over the Ukraine crisis.
EU Launches New Business Avenues into Southeast Asia
The EU this week announced a pilot program, New Business Avenues into Southeast Asia for European SMEs in the Southeast Asian region via a hub in Singapore. According to the SingaporeCompanyIncorporation.sg, a leading Singapore incorporation portal, the new office hub there in Singapore makes strategic sense.
Weight of Ukraine Unrest, Sanctions, Threaten EU Economies
The Ukraine unrest unfolding, US and NATO versus Russia challenges and sanctions, threaten to unravel any hope of continued EU economic recovery. This, according to an ITAR-TASS report, must be weighed against European Commission contentions. Whatever the case for western EU nations, tourism and other sectors in eastern Europe will certainly be stifled.
Albania: A Look at Peripheral #Ukraine Effects
The crisis in Ukraine now threatens western Balkans nations like Albania with further stalled economies and more. Even despite the recent announcement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Urban Development and Tourism of Albania to commit to working together to promote tourism in Albania, the gridlocked detentes in between the US, EU, Britain, and Russia over Ukraine may well spell disaster for all Balkan’s travel.