Greek Crisis

[Whytecliffe]

Hi all,

We return for our 6th trip to Golden Beach in a couple of weeks time. I just wondered if anyone who has already been has noticed any changes due to the financial crisis (ie increased prices, lower quality of food in restaurants etc).

I'm sure all is fine but I have read conflicting reports, not specific to Thassos but Greece in general with regards to how tourists are finding things.

Thanks

[jenzels]

We returned from Thassos a couple of weeks ago and didn't notice a difference in prices or quality it was as wonderfull as always, we thought everywhere was quieter than usual and a few restaurant owners said it was very quiet this year. Enjoy your holiday wish I was still there. I have family out there at the moment and they are reporting it being very very hot.

[mike45]

Haven't been there for more than 2 years, though I have some reports from friends of mine.

Many things are now more expensive. VAT has increased from 19 to 23 percent. Especially fuel is now very expensive, prob highest prices in Europe now.
Price level in restaurants seems to be unchanged, most restaurants trying to keep prices unchanged because there are fewer tourists than before.

You are no german, so You are better off. I was told from friends from germany that Germans seem to be a kind of public enemy now. One couple told me even greek friends they knew for years refuse to talk to them several weeks ago during their visit.

Hope You have a nice trip anyway.

Mike

[stevie20]

Apart from being a little quieter, you will not see a change. Fuel is more expensive but hey, isn't it everywhere ? Not sure I agree with last post comments, best not to take on third hand info in my experience. You will have a great time.

[mikerouse]

We just got back. It was very hot. The PM was swearing in his cabinet so I got chatting to the owner of Il Porto in Thassos Town. Lovely bloke originally from Corfu. Anyway. He was saying that the tax is due to go up in the austerity measures being voted on. It will go up to 23%, but he also said something about proposals for it to go up to 25% though his English was not great so I wasn't sure if he was suspecting that or reporting that. He was saying that it doesn't seem any quieter or busier than normal - it was too early to tell.

There is a strike due on 24 June by dock workers which may affect travel to the island.

[suzy]

please dont be too alarmed by the talk of VAT increases yes it is going up but there are 3 levels of VAT as I understand it and when I checked my shopping bill several items had zero VAT
Standard rate to 23%
Reduced rate to 11%
Second reduced rate to 5.5%