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Holidaymakers warned to take cash to Greece amid financial collapse fearsHolidaymakers to Greece are being advised to take euros in notes and coins in case the escalating debt crisis forces banks to switch off cash machines The Greek tourist board in London said that while it anticipated no immediate problems, visitors should avoid relying solely on credit cards or local ATMs.Travellers should take "enough money to cover emergencies and any unexpected delays", the Foreign & Commonwealth Office added. Travel experts recommended taking around three to five days' worth of spending money in euros, alongside credit and debit cards.
When travelling outside of the UK, you should take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card). Make sure you have enough money to cover emergencies and any unexpected delays.
The Greek National Tourism Organisation said: "We don't anticipate any problems with the banking system in Greece - it's very much business as usual. We would always advise any holidaymakers to take a mixture of cash, debit and credit cards as they would normally do when they travel to any country."
In reality, isn't this just another attempt by the geriatrics at the Telegraph to have a go at Johnny Foreigner in general and a left wing government in particular? I wonder which one of the Telegraph's main advertisers is telling the editor what to print?
Holidaymakers jetting off to Greece this summer have been warned to take emergency cash with them in case the country's ATMs are suddenly switched off amid a mounting debt crisis.The Greek tourist board and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised travellers against relying solely on credit cards and cash machines to pay for items in the Mediterranean country.
British holidaymakers to Greece 'should take cash' amid fears of bank meltdownBRITISH holidaymakers to Greece have been urged to take cash amid fears of the country's imminent bankruptcy....according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
“Cards only” for payments over €70 on islands with more than 3,000 residentsThe Finance Ministry bill is rumored not to include any provisions for an emergency taxThe Ministry of Finances’ ambitious bill will be discussed at the Brussels Group, which begins on Wednesday, prior to being debated by the Ministerial Council scheduled for Thursday.Sources from the Ministry have reported that amongst the measures is the provision that on islands with more than 3,000 residents, all transactions over 70 euros will only be carried out with credit or debit cards.
Quote“Cards only” for payments over €70 on islands with more than 3,000 residentsThe Finance Ministry bill is rumored not to include any provisions for an emergency taxThe Ministry of Finances’ ambitious bill will be discussed at the Brussels Group, which begins on Wednesday, prior to being debated by the Ministerial Council scheduled for Thursday.Sources from the Ministry have reported that amongst the measures is the provision that on islands with more than 3,000 residents, all transactions over 70 euros will only be carried out with credit or debit cards.http://www.tovima.gr/en/article/?aid=699179We'll see
Another scare... or the real thing this time?Tony
Welcome to the one place in Europe where the cash machines aren't workingIt's not Greece, but Germany, where the ATM's are running dry
ATM supplier allegedly makes off with half a million eurosPolice have launched a manhunt for a 45-year-old man from Crete who is suspected of robbing 540,000 euros from the security firm at which he worked.The father of two is believed to have made off with a bundle of cash either on Saturday night or Sunday morning from the firm's offices in the area of Katsamba. The firm was responsible for cash transfers between banks and supplying automatic transaction machines.
Greece’s Alternate Tourism Minister on Saturday rejected press reports alleging that holidaymakers arriving in the country will face many difficulties, including empty ATMs."These reports in the foreign press which aim at preventing tourists from travelling to Greece lack seriousness and substantiation and do not reflect reality,” Elena Kountoura told ANA-MPA. "Greece always welcomes visitors in the best possible conditions and offers them traditional Greek hospitality," the minister said. Commenting on tourist bookings at a recent Economist Conference, Kountoura said major international tour operators have extended the holiday packages offered for Greece to 210 days from 185 days previously. Speaking to ANA-MPA, the Deputy Head of Tourism Promotion for the Ionian Islands, Spyros Galiatsatos, said that June is expected to be a very good month for tourist arrivals and that any losses observed in May will not influence the overall performance of the sector at the end of the year.
German Tourists Cool on Greece as ATMs at Risk of CrunchThe slowdown in bookings has been most pronounced in Germany, Andreadis said, where press coverage and public awareness of the Greek crisis is particularly intense.Bookings have held up better in the U.K. and U.S., boosted in part by the euro’s decline relative to the pound and the dollar this year.
This is from the FCO travel advice for Greece:QuoteWhen travelling outside of the UK, you should take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card). Make sure you have enough money to cover emergencies and any unexpected delays.https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/moneyBut it says the same in its general advice for overseas travel, dated 22 March 2013.I couldn't find any warning on the FCO website about a possible financial collapse in Greece
The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said... she was not aware of any change in the Foreign Office advice for people travelling to or living in Greece.
Updated: 5 October 2015Latest update: Summary – the FCO no longer advise taking euros in cash to cover the entire duration of your stay