Consumers warned against independent trips to Greece

A consumer watchdog is urging holidaymakers considering trips to Greece to book packages to ensure their money is protected if the country exits the eurozone this summer.

Which? is warning its readers that packages booked through UK tour operators are a safer bet than booking flights and accommodation separately, said a report in the Telegraph.

It went on to say that holidaymakers who do book independent trips should pay by credit card, so they will be guaranteed refunds if things do go wrong, and to buy travel insurance with supplier failure cover.

A senior economist last week warned that tourists visiting Greece could face fuel and food shortages if the country defaults on its debt and abandons the euro, (see earlier story) which prompted the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises to highlight the value for money available to holidaymakers.

It is hoping that recent price reductions by hoteliers and restaurants will lure more tourists who might otherwise be put off by Greece's financial and political instability.

However, a survey by travel search website Skyscanner today revealed that Greece is still more expensive for a one-week holiday than Portugal, Spain, Morocco, France and Egypt.

Greece ranked as only the 10^th cheapest country for a seven-day holiday, including flights. When Skyscanner looked at the daily cost of living, it came in 17^th place, making it more expensive than even Iceland and Japan.

By Linsey McNeill

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

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Ref lazy greeks

Fao Michael Anderson Lazy Greeks? My boss works around 16hrs a day/7 days a week for 6 months of the year, The other 6 months she doesn't work as there is no work. How many hours do you work a day? And agree with most, what a shocking and lazy report, expect more from you...utter rubbish.

By Tony Hounsome, Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Clarification

Thank you all for your comments, but I think some of you have misunderstood the original article. The warning came not from TravelMole or from myself but from Which?

While I understand some of our readers are uncomfortable dealing with negative publicity, I believe the majority would like to know what important organisations, such as Which? are advising potential customers so they are equipped to deal with their concerns.

Incidentally, the Which? advice had also been reported by both tabloid and broadsheet newspapers.

You can read the Which? advice, which is (Terry) on the Which? website here http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/05/is-it-safe-to-holiday-in-greece-286451/

The information on costs in Greece was supplied by Skyscanner.

By Linsey McNeill, Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Travelmole is a disgrace

I think Travlemole should publish evidence to backup the claims in this article. The comments on the Which website have been deleted and Linsey McNeill is a disgrace to Travel Journalism for writing this scaremongering rubbish. Come on Travelmole publish some facts or publish an apology

By Terry Warner, Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Directing tourism

This article is so out of the truth that you should actually be ashamed of yourselves and considered as prejudiced. Or, you have deals elsewhere and it seems a good way to promote them. Thank god there are ways to react aginst you and this outrageous article will be sent to many huge companies in Greece and Italy. It will also be sent to the Greek and British Embassy aswell as the Foreign Office of your country. The lies are enough to make you fall. Thank you.

By Daniel Aliprantis, Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Shame on you Travelmole!!!

How ridiculous!! Travelmole should be ashamed of itself publishing such RUBBISH!! What exactly is the average independent holiday maker to Greece in danger of suffering? Their flight will have been booked with British Airways or Lufthansa if they are typical of my guests - why would any problems with the Greek economy affect those flights?? Most book their cars with Europcar, Hertz or National Alamo - again not a Greek company to be seen!! My accommodation is not going anywhere regardless of whether we have Euros, Drachma or Star Wars galactic credits!!! "Which" (and Travelmole) would be better to encourage tourists to travel to Greece INDEPENDENTLY as then 100% of their money (except flights and car hire) would remain in Greece and help the Greek economy. Whatever currency we have, there will NOT be a shortage of food in Greece - please stop this scaremongering - you only show yourselves to be fools and help the multinational tour operators, car companies and banks get richer!!!

By HELEN BYE-DIPLARI, Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Scaremongering or Self-Promotion?

Said Who? (or Which?) Self-promotional propaganda, scaremongering, or total failure to comprehend a complex but in no way threatening - to tourists, or us "locals", situation. Greece remains safe and ideal for independent travel.

By Antonis Petropoulos, Tuesday, May 29, 2012
What a joke Greece is ?

We all know that most Greeks are incredibly lazy, but now they are decending into one huge joke. Why would anyone want to go there at all ?

By Michael Anderson, Tuesday, May 29, 2012