Affordable destinations for this year
Thessaly and the islands of Evia, Leros and Kalymnos are just some of the cheaper destinations in Greece that are not lacking in natural beauty. A family can spend one to three weeks for just 20-30 euros daily. Tourists in these cheaper areas are almost exclusively Greek, usually family groups staying for an average of five days in the higher and middle price range, to two to three weeks. Aghiokambos on the coast of Larissa; Kala Nera, Afyssos, Trikeri in the prefecture of Magnesia; or Glyfa on the coast of Fthiotida near Lamia are lovely villages where prices are reasonable. On the island of Evia there is Rovies, Limni, Aghia Anna and Vassilika, as well as the more expensive Edipsos, which has a long history of tourism. Road links with mainland Greece are one of the great advantages of the beautiful island of Lefkada. In July and August, accommodation owners hope to make up for low occupancy rates earlier in the summer. That is what happened last year, although foreign tourism was down by 20 percent compared to the previous year. Room rates at hotels and rented rooms are at the same levels as last year, but many fear the same will not apply to restaurants, cafes and bars in July and August. On Skopelos, another island preferred by middle-income groups, the head of the hoteliers’ association G. Gioldasis foresees a reduction in tourism of up to 40 percent this year. «First of all, they have not managed to convince anyone that the Olympics can take place without upsetting the rest of Greece,» he said. This forested island of the Sporades has not escaped the innate curses of Greek tourism. «High prices, bad behavior on the part of business owners and the State’s inability to protect the industry have resulted in a low standard of services and prices raised to the maximum. Not just anyone can open a hotel or restaurant, or drive a taxi. We have confused coffee with gold,» he added.
