NATO Strikes - What's the Impact on Travel to Greece?

Bombs are falling in Kosovo, and tensions throughout the region are high. Will this military action affect your travel plans to Greece?

Barring a major escalation of the conflict, the answer is no. Greece, while opposed to the NATO action, expects that travel and tourism will continue virtually uninterrupted. Acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou says that "Greece is an oasis of stability in the region, and shall continue to be." The Greece-based Macedonia Press Agency reports Athens has formally protested remarks made by Clinton suggesting that the Kosovo action could destabilize relations between Turkey and Greece, even to the point of an armed conflict. The Turkish Daily News, however, asserts the unlikelihood of this situation bringing Turkey and Greece into open conflict, especially as many direct Turkey-Greece conflicts have not resulted in any substantial military action.

What can the traveller really expect? I'd look for unexpected delays due to tighter security, especially at northern mainland destinations, such as Thessaloniki, and major hubs such as Athens. At this moment, the Athens News Agency, Athens' foremost English-language daily, reports that Athens airport is jammed with television crews and other media racing to get into Yugoslavia. This should change as either the conflict passes, or the journalists all get into place.

If you have business at the American Embassy, be alert for reports of anti-war rallies such as tonight's (March 30th) all-night candlelight vigil. Obviously, embassy security will be tighter than usual and may interfere with normal procedures. Call first.

Americans and citizens of other NATO countries will do well to avoid heated political debates and arguments. Though there may be some anti-American government sentiment, most Greeks have U.S. ties and older Greeks fondly remember another intervention of ours, against the Nazis and Italians in World War II, both of whom occupied Greek territory.

Allow yourself extra time wherever possible to accommodate unexpected delays. Better yet, try to allow yourself true flexibility so that you can choose to spend another day in Athens or take other transportation without a major economic hardship.

Remember, none of this is particularly new. For years, Greece has been in a state of tension over both Turkish problems and the Macedonian question. Guards with machine guns at airports and scrambling jets overhead have been encountered by travelers for the past several years.

Since Yugoslavia and adjacent regions have been responsible for a surge of tourists to Greece in recent years, the traveler may actually find slightly lighter crowds this year, especially in Northern Greece and its coastal islands.

It's likely that there will be a spillover effect in other areas of Greece as well. From the tourist's viewpoint, expect some excellent deals.

The ANA also reports that Greece has kindly agreed to participate fully in the refugee assistance program, in response to a formal request by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Putting aside acrimonious feelings based on the new Republic's choice of name, one that many Greeks feel should only be used for Greece, Greece will be assisting FYROM in handling the increased surge of refugees, with centers planned for Pella, Florina, Kozani, Kilkis, Larissa and Ioannina.

I'll be keeping an eye on the reports and will be passing along anything that looks to affect your travels in Greece this season. Travel safely!