Want to help Greece? Go there on holiday

[KamaAina]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/help-greece-go-on-holiday-cheap-beautiful

Covering the Greek crisis for the past few months, the question I am asked most commonly is: “Why won’t Greece just stop whining and pay its debts?” It is quite depressing to realise there are so many people out there who think there is a mattress somewhere in Greece stuffed with a trillion euros, which we are refusing to hand over simply out of radical leftism. The second most commonly asked question, however, cheers me up significantly: “Is there any way we can help?”

There is: visit Greece. The weather is just as stunning as it ever was this time of year; the archaeological sites just as interesting; the beaches just as magical; the food just as heart-healthy. The prices are significantly cheaper than usual. It is one of those rare everybody-wins situations.

The people are even more welcoming, more hospitable and more grateful than ever. The reaction to difficulty has been a broader smile, a wider embrace. We understand that you have a choice and we understand why you have chosen Greece right now. Tourism is liquidity. Tourism is solidarity.

If you are thinking of helping my country in this way, there are ways to do so perfectly safely and to maximise the benefit. It is important to say that there has been no violence, at all, anywhere. And whenever there has been any trouble in the past, it has always confined itself in a very small and easily avoidable area, in the very centre of Athens. If you are feeling even a little nervous about it, plenty of airlines fly directly to dozens of resorts and stunning, out-of-the-way destinations.

It'll be even cheaper if/when they make the "Grexit" from the eurozone! Opaa!

[BeyondGeography]

1. After you

[panader0]

2. Tourism should be a huge part of the Greek economy.

[maxsolomon]

3. I have and I'm planning on it again. Either this fall or in the Spring.

Things just need to shake out a bit - we are not yet at the denouement.

Right now you'd have to carry too much cash.

[snooper2]

4. Cash Only

Greece travel Q&A: Tourists urged to bring cash

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/06/30/greece-travel-tourists-cash/29505425/

Tourists travelling to Greece have been advised to avoid relying on cards and that cash will be the best form of currency as the country enters a week of political and economic uncertainty.

Greece is close to a financial collapse with the stock exchange closed and banks shut all week after the European Central Bank (ECB) said that further credit to the nation was being refused after the eurozone rejected the latest bailout extension pleas from Greek politicians.

[brooklynite]

5. Bring cash...

preferably 10s and 20s...

[B Calm]

6. I wish I could afford to go back to Corfu.

[geek tragedy]

7. Americans going should wear "USA" and American flag decals so they

are not mistaken for Germans.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

13. That isn't usually a problem

German tourists either look homeless or they're naked on a beach somewhere. Homeless looking or naked, they can usually be found shouting in broken english that someone is in their spot.

[PowerToThePeople]

8. I can't afford to go across town on holiday.

Last edited Tue Jul 7, 2015, 08:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Ya, don't think your average American is going to Greece anytime.

[hifiguy]

9. Some friends are headed there on their honeymoon

in August. I told them to bring cash and spend liberally.

[bigwillq]

10. No, thanks (nt)

[JI7]

11. shouldn't greece already be a major tourist destination ?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

12. Uhh.. no.

I would rather not have to swim to Italy to get a flight home when Greece runs out of petroleum products.