- Cabinet Minister Defends Vacationing in Greece Amid Wildfires
- Michael Gove Plans Vacation in Wildfire-Affected Greek Island
- Evacuations and Repatriations Continue as Wildfires Disrupt Greek Holidays
The cabinet minister says it’s “absolutely right” for tourists to visit Greece despite wildfires.
Michael Gove, a cabinet minister, says he is traveling on vacation to a Greek island where wildfires are raging, even though the region is deemed “safe” by the government.
In “just over a week,” the housing secretary will travel to Evia, a sizable island off the coast of Athens.
There have been fires in the south of the roughly 100-mile-long island. In recent days, fires have also engulfed the Greek islands of Corfu and Rhodes, prompting widespread evacuations.
Recent days have seen evacuations on Evia due to the situation there.
Mr. Gove stated that the Foreign Office has advised that it is “safe” to travel to Rhodes and that it was “unfortunate” that “particular” areas of the island had to be evacuated.
He added that it was “absolutely right” that people could still travel to Greece for vacation.
Mr. Gove stated, “It is tragic that these fires have marred what should have been… the happiest, most enjoyable time of the year for many.
“However, I also believe that the criticism directed at specific companies is not always warranted.”
The minister was steadfast in his support for the travel companies, even though some people complained that they were flown to the conflagration zones as recently as last Saturday or that they were unable to contact anyone as they attempted to return to the United Kingdom.
He also downplayed the extent of the fires.
“Clearly, the Rhodes fires have been tragic,” Gove said.
“However, it is also true, as the Greek tourism minister pointed out yesterday, that the flames, while horrific, have been confined to one area of the island.
The Foreign Office recommends visiting Rhodes, however evacuation in a specific location is necessary.
Mr. Gove lauded the travel companies, stating that “individual travel companies have demonstrated a high level of responsibility in ensuring that they are available to take people back in certain circumstances” and that they will “make their own commercial decisions by government advice.”
If the Foreign Office said Rhodes was safe, Labour’s shadow minister for levelling up, Alex Norris, would go.
Since fires prevent business interruption insurance claims, the government has been urged to amend its recommendations.
More British tourists are expected to return to the United Kingdom on Tuesday from fire-ravaged Rhodes, as repatriation flights continue.
Hundreds of people have already arrived at UK airports after sections of a popular Greek island caught fire, forcing many to spend the night in schools, airports, and sports centers.
Monday morning, Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell estimated that as many as 10,000 Britons were on the island. However, the Foreign Office subsequently stated that it would not provide updates on the number of people repatriated.
TUI, Jet2, and Correndon have cancelled all Rhodes flights through Friday.
Thomas Cook has canceled some upcoming holidays and is offering customers who wish to cancel their travels full refunds.
