Athens, 24 July 2023
PRESS RELEASE
Speaking from the island of Rhodes, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni gave interviews to foreign media about the management of the crisis in the tourism sector, in order to give a clear picture of the situation prevailing on the island following the wildfire that broke out.
The Minister highlighted that primary goal while managing the crisis was to take coordinated actions and protection measures so that not a single human life was endangered or injured.
Ms Kefalogianni appeared on the British media Sky News, BBC News and BBC Radio, saying that “it was the biggest evacuation ever occurred in Greece, as the number of people who were transferred reached 19,000, of which 16,000 were transferred by land and 3,000 by sea”. The Minister underlined that the solidarity of both the people of Rhodes and volunteers was “touching”, which was reflected in the fact that from the very first moment evacuated tourists had the necessary facilities and hospitality in public spaces, so that they felt safe despite the unexpected crisis. “There is no problem at the airport of Rhodes and it is very important to emphasize that only a small part of the island has been affected,” the Minister told BBC Radio. In fact, she stated as “false the estimates that 50% of the island has been affected by the fire.” According to Ms Kefalogianni, “Greece wants to send a clear message of safety abroad. The safety of visitors is a priority, as is the fact that Greece is able to face major crises.” Referring to the impact the situation will have on tourism , the Minister pointed out that “Greek tourism has gone through many and different crises in recent years, but it has always managed to overcome them successfully because there is professionalism, great experience and seriousness in the whole chain of those involved.
Speaking earlier to Greek media SKAI, she stressed that first priority is the safe return of travelers to their homelands, while already leading tour operators are sending empty planes to Rhodes to pick up foreign visitors
Minister Kefalogianni , accompanied by Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Rapti, attended a series of meetings held at the headquarters of the Region of the South Aegean with the participation of all relevant stakeholders for the assessment and immediate management of the consequences caused by the wildfires.
During her briefing in the accommodation centres, Ms Kefalogianni spoke to the direct care managers, volunteers and travel agents, and publicly thanked them for their unprecedented collective effort of coordination and mutual assistance.
