Why do you think, Greeks take their sun umbrellas, sun chairs, camping fridges full of sandwiches and cold drinks, pack children and grannies and rush to the nearest free beaches where they spend the whole Sunday? For a simple reason: because the majority of them cannot afford vacations this summer.
In a recent public opinion survey conducted by the “Consumers’ Institute”
73% of the respondents said that “they do not plan to spend their summer vacations away form home”, neither that “they believe, they could”.
As main reason for “vacations at home” the respondents named:
economic reasons: 70%
income uncertainty: 20%
professional obligations: 10%
From the 27% who said they will spend vacations away from home, 80% said “maximum 5 days.”
The public survey was conducted among 545 people.
THAT was last year. Better say: two years ago
PS I wouldn’t worry about the hoteliers and the other tourist businesses though. 17 million foreign tourists are expected in Greece this summer, the government said. #Phew
17 million foreign tourists? Where are they? No sign in Agios Nikolaos, Elounda region of Crete.
what do you mean’ where are they”? you don’t expect them to come all at once?
Pity they don’t look after their beautiful beaches by not littering everywhere, especially since they plan to stay at home… I have spent the last 4 summers picking up rubbish from rocks, the water and the beach… very sad…