Tourists spend more per capita this year
Average spending per tourist in Greece over the first nine months of the year was 25% higher than in 2020 and slightly more compared to the same period in 2019, Bank of Greece data show.
Tragedy or farce? Furore as Greek actor refuses to play for vaccinated only
A Greek actor has forced the cancellation of a Eugene Ionesco play in Athens after refusing to perform only for vaccinated audiences, drawing criticism and praise in equal measure amid a surge of Covid-19 infections in the country.
Migrant flows to Europe up, but Aegean sees drop
With the European Union under immense pressure from increased migrant flows through various routes, the only area with a decrease in arrivals – by 11% this year compared to 2020 – is that of the Aegean islands.
Balkan neighbors mourn victims of bus fire in Bulgaria
Bulgaria and North Macedonia began periods of national mourning on Wednesday, a day after a bus traveling through Bulgaria carrying tourists to neighboring North Macedonia crashed and caught fire, killing 45 people.
Small companies fear closure
The insecurity index of small and very small enterprises remains very high, as while the state support measures taken by the government during the pandemic may have averted numerous shutdowns then, the safety net is now gone, which could sound the death knell for some.
Greek PM wants booster shots for over 60 a condition for free travel
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has written a letter to European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen to propose that a Covid vaccine booster dose be considered as a condition for free travel across the EU for citizens over 60 years old as cases surge. Such a measure, Mitsotakis says in his letter, must be reflected…
Greece to spend 11.7 bln on health in 2022, Staikouras says
Greece’s total health spending will bump up to 11.7 billion euros next year, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras told the Athens Health Summit on Wednesday.
Themistokleous: ‘There are no magic wands’
Marios Themistokleous, secretary-general in charge of vaccinations, on Wednesday highlighted the significance of the nationwide inoculation program against Covid-19 for Greece’s primary healthcare, praising the so-called Operation Freedom (Eleftheria) as “the best manifestation of the executive state.”
In major shift, EU says vaccine boosters should be considered for all adults
The head of the European Union’s public health agency Andrea Ammon said on Wednesday that Covid-19 vaccine boosters should be considered for all adults, with priority for those above 40 years, in a major change to the agency’s guidance.
Turkish woes raising concerns in Athens
The turmoil in the Turkish economy may be primarily a neighbor’s internal affairs, but its political management is raising reasonable concerns in Athens, as the recent examples of incendiary rhetoric and other actions emanating from Ankara targeting Greece would suggest.