ECONOMY

UK tour operators sound alarm

British tour operators have called on Athens and its creditors to improve Greece?s image abroad or face the risk of having bookings canceled due to low demand.

In an open letter to the ministers of finance and culture, as well as the representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, three major tourism and travel associations representing 844 tour operators and 3,547 travel agencies in the United Kingdom warn that unless the Greek state makes moves that will help the promotion of the country?s tourism product in Britain, they will not be able to sell their prebooked packages.

In their letter, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) and the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) note that over the last few weeks Britain has been bombarded with negative statements and messages about Greece.

They add that as a result Britons are opting for alternative holiday destinations.

Britain is a key market for Greek tourism, an industry that represents 18 percent of the country?s economy.

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