Wildfire has engulfed the Imperial Resort and Spa in Rhodes. Photo: East Anglia News Service. tourists to return as the island's mayor said he would sue over the alleged arson.
Some five-star resorts have cut prices by almost half in a desperate attempt to lure tourists to fill hundreds of empty spaces. rooms.
The north of the island is safe and not prone to wildfires, but massive cancellations leave owners no choice but to offer last-minute deals.
2507 Rhodes wildfires
Tourist destination has been devastated by intense heat engulfing the entire area. Mediterranean with nine countries affected by forest fires. The Greek Civil Protection Agency on Wednesday extended the state of emergency to the entire island of Rhodes.
Planes usually full of tourists arrive almost empty, forcing some hotels to cut prices.
A luxury all-inclusive hotel near Kallithea offered a 40 percent discount on a room over £300 on Wednesday, saving tourists. risk hundreds of pounds because of the heat. Another hotel in the same city was offering a 35% discount on its peak price of £470.
In Faliraki, a four-star boutique hotel was offering a 30% discount on its regular price of £370, while hotels across the island have reduced prices by more than a fifth.
Wildfires surround the Princess Andriana Resort and Spa in Kiotari. Credit: MEN Media
Dozens of hotels in the southeast remain closed or affected, but one hotel in burned-out Kiotari was scheduled to reopen next week.
The owner of a family hotel in Lindos, 32-year-old Rafael Psros, said that was forced to close for ten days. after all his guests canceled and called for vacationers to visit.
“Lindos is safe, we are surrounded by rocks, which makes it difficult for the fire to get here,” he said. “But it's not good when the neighboring village is on fire.
“People were worried, they called us, and we told them to come. Of course we want to see them, many come back year after year. They are not just guests, they are friends and we miss them and can't wait to see them again.”
At the nearby Caesar Gardens, staff urged tourists not to panic and to remember the “perfect” beaches and that “the skies are clear.” p>In Faliraki, 42-year-old Peter Manias, owner of the Central Hotel, said he was plagued by cancellations and no-shows.< /p>
“Ten rooms were supposed to arrive last night, but no one showed up,” he said. “This is a loss of 500 euros a day. We have three months left to work and earn money for the whole winter. People are really afraid of what will happen next.”
He said it was “destructive” for the island and it was like a war to keep people from “flooding” the hotels.
It's in our blood to take care of the tourists, they're like family. I have more friends in England than I do here in Rhodes.”
Police investigating wildfires
Police are continuing to investigate whether the wildfires were intentional and Rhodes Mayor Antonis Kambourakis has filed a lawsuit for arson and attempted murder from -for the fires.
The Criminal Prosecutor of Rhodes has ordered an urgent preliminary investigation to establish any liability and attendant negligence of those responsible for the extent of the destruction from the fire raging on the island.
Investigators said the scope of the investigation was “huge” and they were gathering evidence from “many” people.
Yannis Artopios, a spokesman for the fire brigade, said: “We will investigate not only the start of every fire, but also what what happened during firefighting operations. Many people are being called to testify, but we haven't started making arrests yet.”
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