Is Greece default a reality and how tourists need to prepare in case it happens? Can Croatia take advantage of Greece crises?
The fear of Greek default seriously concerns not only Europe. How this can influence the tourist flows. What will happen to travelers, once in Greece, without possibility to withdraw the cash money?
The reason I’ve decided to discuss this tragic Greece economic situation, is historical and geographical similarity between two countries.
Too many questions but without reliable answers. I do hope that Greece will remain in European Community.
With the country in an escalating debt crisis, tourists are right to be worried. Over the weekend, I’ve read some advices for people traveling to Greece. The most important is, bring lots of extra cash.
Read more about Greek islands fear tourism decline on BBC article!
What To Do In Case Of Greece Default
In case Greece leaves Euro, many tourists will decide to change their destination, in the last moment. Most of them will visit Greece in spite of monetary collapse but somehow between 10 to 20 % will focus their holidays in other direction. Obviously Croatia will be one of them.
Personally I don’t believe Croatia will be able to host more than 5% of tourists who decide to replace Greece with Croatian Adriatic coast. You wonder why such a negative prognosis.
Everything is based on accommodation capacities along the coast. Split Croatia has been for years a top destination and most visited coastal town.
Although the number of accommodation facilities have been increased over the years, passing one million overnight stays in the first 10 months of 2014, it’s hard to believe to compensate the lack of beds, in case of more or less from 50 000 to 100 000, new overnights.
For example, Split city in 2015 will get only one new hotel, better to say, old Park Hotel which capacity is increased from 57 to 73 rooms, including six suites. A good news is that Park will get 5 stars. I don’t think, it’s enough!
Maybe, next year (2016) the situation will change with some new hotels, with renovated hotel Ambassador and two new hotels in Znjan and Trstenik districts.
The only positive factor will be, the private accommodation that can solve the new travelers taking into consideration Croatia, instead of Greece.
The situation won’t be better in other destinations, like Central Dalmatia islands or South Dalmatia, taking of course into consideration Dubrovnik as well.
While I’m writing this article (June 29th), Greece is only the step from the financial abyss. The whole Europe anxiously waits for the result of the referendum to be held on Sunday July 5th when Greeks will decide to stay or leave the EU.
