Greek financial crisis: don’t believe the hype

Are your clients worried about going to Greece? Are you unsure what to tell them? TravelMole blogger Helena Beard, a travel brand and communications consultant, is currently visiting the country and says there’s nothing to worry about.

"I’ve always been a bit of a news junkie, but the unravelling negotiations between Greece’s Syriza government and the ‘troika’ have kept me glued to my screen over the past week. Not least because half my family live in Athens and I was days away from visiting them. What would it be like? Would the country be at a standstill? How many euros should I bring? And might it even be dangerous?

Touching down at a balmy Athens airport with a bag full of cash, there was no discernible difference to the dozens of other times I’ve made the same trip. Welcoming grandparents scooped big eyed toddlers into their arms, weathered taxi drivers stood in line as backpackers and culture vultures mingled together, excited to have landed in the centre of the ancient world. And my aunt, had arrived to pick me up, delighted to bestow a week’s legendary Greek hospitality upon me.

Conversation soon turned to the political and economic situation and I quickly realised that, although there is an intense sadness about what is happening to Greece, there is no sense of panic here. The news images we’ve been seeing of long queues at the cash machines with people sweltering for hours in the midday sun are simply unrepresentative. Driving around central Athens, I saw a few queues, maybe 10 people at most. I walked with my uncle to the cashpoint near his house this afternoon. There were two young women approaching when we arrived, and nobody waiting. The women waved him to go first. No urgency, no panic. No-one worrying that the machine might run out of cash. My uncle has walked to that cash machine every day this week and has yet to have a problem. He’s keeping his €60 and paying everything he can on his credit card. For now, for him, everything is OK.

Tourists have no such restrictions imposed on their cash withdrawals. We can take out as much cash as we like from the banks. It’s probably more help to Greece if you bring it with you, but, if you don’t want to carry a lot of cash, for now you can get it from one of the (very) many cash machines. Of course, the situation can change and it is important to follow the current FCO advice but, for now, credit cards are still widely accepted in supermarkets, hotels and larger shops and restaurants.

As for safety, I feel no more or less safe than I ever have in Athens. It’s a busy, dirty city with a passionate soul and a high noise level. The centre is looking more run down than it was two years ago, and there are more people begging on the metro. You need to keep your wits about you as you would in any large European city, but you don’t need to worry. Demonstrations tend to be organised and operate in and around Syntagma Square, an area easily avoided.

On Sunday, there will be a referendum. After this, things may change. But one thing I am certain is that the Greek banks and the government, whoever that may be next week, will do everything they can to make it safe and easy for the tourists to keep coming. That is Greece’s best chance right now.

Today we did one of my very favourite things in the world. The four of us sat in a breezy square talking about family, politics and life under the shade of a couple of olive trees. We drank ouzo, we ate tzatziki, Greek salads, fresh fish, and crispy squid smothered with lemon juice. When we finished, two hours later, the waitress brought us a pile of ripe, tasty watermelon slices and a bill for just €47. I left a €. I didn’t have any change to leave more. My uncle was shocked by my generosity "Ela Helena, that’s far too much."

It was easy to find a taxi. We asked the driver if he was busy. "Very little work," he said. "People aren’t taking taxis and there seem to be fewer tourists."

Please don’t be put off coming to Greece. There’s really no need. Bring cash, bring sun cream, and support, and more importantly enjoy this amazing and ancient country."

Contact Helena Beard at LinkedIn