March 16, 2011
Greece said on Wednesday it would waive landing, takeoff and stopover fees for all aircraft using the nation's airports in a move aimed at reinvigorating the cash-strapped country's tourism industry.
The waiver will apply from April until the end of the year at all airports except Athens.
"There has already been a big increase in low-cost flights to regional airports and our hope is that this will make Greek destinations more attractive," said Caralampo Focas, an expert on Greece's transport industry. "Consumers should know that if they have paid these fees they are entitled to get them back."
Struggling with its worst recession in four decades and with unemployment at a record 15%, Greece is counting on a comeback by the tourism industry, which accounts for one in five jobs and 20% of its GDP. Revenues from the sector, already adversely affected by the global economic crisis, fell by 20% last year following increased regional competition, debilitating strikes and anti-austerity riots. Threatened with bankruptcy, the country narrowly avoided defaulting on its €330bn debt with a €110bn rescue package of emergency loans from the EU and IMF in May.
More
No comments:
Post a Comment