[ad_1]
Sign as much as Simon Calder’s free journey e mail for skilled recommendation and money-saving reductions
Get Simon Calder’s Travel e mail
In late July 2023, on the top of the vacationer season within the Greek islands, wildfires swept throughout a part of the isle of Rhodes – triggering the evacuation of a minimum of 20,000 vacationers.
Details have lastly emerged of how the scheme will work – and, as anticipated, some important phrases and situations apply.
These are the main points.
Remind me what occurred?
Wildfires broke out within the mountainous centre of Rhodes within the second half of July 2023, and unfold to the east coast resorts – aided by winds, very excessive temperatures and dry situations.
Thousands of holidaymakers had been pressured to flee resorts on Saturday 22 July, with some British vacationers describing “terrifying” scenes of turmoil as energy cuts brought on “chaos” on the island.
The islanders did all they may to assist stranded vacationers. Many abroad guests had been positioned in emergency shelters arrange in colleges and different public buildings, and greater than 20,000 vacationers had been flown dwelling early on evacuation flights
What did the Greek prime minister say, precisely?
Soon afterwards Kyriakos Mitsotakis instructed British tv viewers: “The island is perfectly back to normal.”
“For all of those whose holidays were cut short as a result of the wildfires, the Greek government – in cooperation with the local authorities – will offer one week of free holidays on Rhodes next spring and next fall so that we make sure that they come back to the island and that they enjoy its natural beauty.”
But for the reason that prime minister made his promise, particulars have been sketchy. But now the Greek authorities has arrange an internet site telling travellers about “Rodos Week”. This is just not a selected seven days within the calendar, however an entitlement to every week’s price of lodging.
Who qualifies?
“All adult individuals, regardless of nationality, who were staying in hotels evacuated during the wildfires on the island of Rhodes in July 2023” are entitled to a voucher for lodging.
People who ended holidays early could have already got been included within the “Registry of Beneficiaries” compiled by the tourism authorities in Rhodes. If not they will apply for inclusion. The declare shall be checked towards lodge data.
What do they get – and how do they guide a free vacation?
A voucher for every week’s keep in roughly the identical commonplace of lodging akin to what they initially had.
- For a 1, 2, or 3-star lodge, it’s €300 (£256) for your entire keep – until it was for a room with 4 beds or extra, wherein case it is €400 (£341).
- For 4 or 5-star motels, it’s €400 (£341) – or €500 for individuals who had been staying in bigger rooms.
These are awarded for every particular person on the unique journey – so a pair will get two vouchers between them, price a minimal of €600 (£512).
Where and when can the voucher be used?
At one of many taking part motels provided on the redemption web site. The keep could be as much as 31 May 2024 and from 1 October to fifteen November 2024.
They won’t essentially be accepted for any date – for instance, many motels are prone to be full throughout half-term week. But the Rhodes Hotels Association ensures all requests ought to be honoured by the top of the second part.
What about flights?
They will not be included – and neither are transfers from the airport to the lodge and journey insurance coverage.
Research by The Independent reveals typical fares from Manchester to Rhodes in May on easyJet at round £300 return, whereas British Airways flights from London Heathrow to the island and again in October are within the vary £300-£400 return – which incorporates 46kg of cabin baggage.
If I can’t go for a full week, can I make it an extended weekend?
No, you could keep for no less than six consecutive nights.
Neither are you able to provide the voucher to another person.
What stays in an Airbnb or comparable rental lodging?
They will not be coated; the scheme applies solely to registered lodge company.
Is the island absolutely open for tourism?
Yes. I went to Rhodes in late October to see how the island was recovering. In some areas on the east coast there have been small pockets of serious harm, and inland, it was clear that wildfires have raged.
But the scene was by no means “post-Apocalyptic” – and for the overwhelming majority of holidaymakers to Rhodes there shall be no distinction from a vacation they may have loved earlier than . You can anticipate to be as warmly welcomed as ever.
Has every other vacation spot executed one thing like this?
Not that I’m conscious of. At the top of the Covid pandemic, some international locations provided vouchers to residents for holidays – a form of “get out to help out” scheme. But within the aftermath of a pure catastrophe it is unprecedented.
Greece is closely depending on tourism, and the prime minister was eager to get forward of the issue – and persuade holidaymakers that they’d be capable to return with out a care.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink