Industry reassures holidaymakers as Greek crisis deepens

European minister are considering a request from Greece for a new two-year bailout today after the country failed to make a €1.6 billion loan repayment to the International Monetary Fund yesterday.

Its default means that Greek banks no longer have access to funds from the European Central Bank and ratings agencies have further downgraded the country’s debt.

The IMF is considering a request from Greece to extend its payment deadline, meanwhile the country is preparing for a referendum on the EU’s proposed austerity measures on Sunday.

Until the outcome of Sunday’s vote, the banks will remain closed to the general public and Greeks will only be able to withdraw €60 a day from ATMs. The limit does not apply to tourists with foreign bank cards, however ABTA said it has received mixed reports about the availability of cash from machines so it is urging holidaymakers to follow Foreign Office advice and take enough cash for the whole of their trips.

Greek tourism bodies have issued various statements attempting to reassure holidaymakers that trips to Greece won’t be affected the economic crisis.

Specialist operator Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays also issued a statement stressing that, whatever happens, customers will be taken care of.

Managing director Dimitri Patrikios said: "Whilst we strongly believe it is unlikely that your holiday will be disrupted in any way, in any event please be assured we will continue to carefully monitor the situation and take any precautionary action should we feel it necessary.

"Greece is our home and for those who have travelled with us in the past will know that we have an incredibly competent team in all of our resorts who are there to look after you. Please rest assured that you are in good hands and that we have taken precautions to ensure your holiday is not disrupted.

"Even in a worst case scenario, should the banks or ATMs run out of cash, we at Ionian have already in place emergency measures to ensure that our Ionian guests who may need to purchase additional euros can do so by simply contacting their representative in resort and organise to buy euros via their credit/debit card or sterling.

"On a positive note we are hugely encouraged with the number of people currently enjoying their holiday with us in Greece. Many have e-mailed to say they are having a truly fantastic time, and would like to extend their holiday by a further week.

"Many have also told us how unfairly the media has been in their reporting of the crisis and how different reality is from perceptions. One positive outcome has also been the fantastic exchange rate travellers are currently enjoying. In 2014 sterling was less than 1.20 euros to £1, it is currently over 1.40 to the euro."

In a statement, ABTA said it didn’t envisage tour operators having to rebook customers to other destintions. It added: "At present we have no indication that holidaymakers will be disrupted however, as with all destination matters, we will continue to monitor the situation and work with our Members on any developments. This is an unusual situation but the industry is experienced in handling unusual situations."