Greece launches tourism season, sets sights on pandemic recovery – MENAFN.COM

Greece launches tourism season, sets sights on pandemic recovery – MENAFN.COM

(MENAFN - Gulf Times) Standing before the breathtaking beauty of the Balos lagoon in Crete yesterday, three German tourists couldn't believe their luck at being there. ''We searched for a location to go for our first holiday post-Covid and we... spontaneously decided to come here," said Anne Marie Buhrer, 25, from Munich. ''We can't believe how beautiful it is here." The trio were among some of the first foreign travellers returning to Greece after the country kickstarted its tourism season yesterday, hoping the lure of sun, sand and sea will bring a sorely needed revenue boost after last year's miserable holiday season. Greece is vying with Europe's other tourism hotspots to woo back visitors. France and Spain launched tourism campaigns this week while Italy said yesterday it was scrapping a quarantine requirement for visitors from the EU, Britain and Israel who test negative for the coronavirus. ''We are raising anchor," Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis declared as he launched the holiday season Thursday evening from the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, near Athens. ''We leave behind the dark clouds of fear and insecurity," he added, saying that foreign tourists were eager to return to the country. The