Longer museum and site hours as of Easter
A year after receiving heavy criticism for its failure to ensure that museums and archaeological sites were open early on in the summer season, the Culture Ministry has announced that extended hours will be in place much earlier. In a statement yesterday, Culture Minister Antonis Samaras said that he expects the process to assign staff to major museums and sites so that they can stay open seven days a week until 8 p.m. to be completed this week. «This year will be the first time that the summer timetable, which we are extending by half an hour, will be implemented so early,» said Samaras. «Until now, it was only in full effect in the middle of June, but this year it will be implemented before Easter.» Greece is expecting a drop in the number of visitors this year due to the economic crisis and Samaras suggested the ministry’s initiative is aimed at attracting more tourists.
