British tourists' Greece interest rises despite EU and financial crisis

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Research suggests Britons' interest in visiting Greece has increased
Searches for flights have increased by 16 per cent since banks closed
Some firms have cut their package holiday prices by as much as half

Published: 03:19 EST, 6 July 2015 | Updated: 03:26 EST, 6 July 2015

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It appears British holidaymakers are willing to overlook the worsening financial crisis in Greece – and its potential impact on the tourism industry – in order to save money on a holiday.

New research suggests Britons are undeterred and their interest in visiting Greece has spiked even though the debt-stricken country is on the brink of exiting the eurozone and entering a new phase of uncertainty.

With news of massive savings on package and self-catering holidays, online searches for flights from the UK to Greece have increased by 16 per cent since banks closed for business a week ago.

Online searches for flights from the UK to debt-stricken Greece have jumped by as much as 16 per cent

A study by travel website Skyscanner found that searches for flights from Britain to Greece are up 12 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.

It comes as some travel firms have cut their prices by as much as 50 per cent on trips to some of the country’s most popular islands.

While they are not advising against travelling to Greece, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and travel agents are encouraging holidaymakers to take a number of precautions.

Locals are currently being limited to €60 (£42) a day when withdrawing cash from ATMs and there are no limits for tourists, although there are mixed reports on availability of cash, the Association of British Travel Agents reported.

It said: ‘We advise holidaymakers and travellers heading out to Greece this summer to take enough euros in cash to cover all of their needs.

‘Holidaymakers should check how much cash their travel insurance policy covers them for and should take appropriate security precautions against theft such as using their hotel safe or splitting cash up between their party.’

A bank employee distributes tag queue positions to pensioners eager to withdraw cash in Athens

Credit and debit cards are being accepted as normal in shops and restaurants.

Abta is also encouraging holidaymakers to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their holiday.

It added: ‘We do not anticipate that there will be any need for tour operators to rebook their customers to a different destination.

‘Reports from our members and holidaymakers on the ground suggest that it is very much business as usual in Greece and we have no indication that holidaymakers will be disrupted.’

Greece was plunged into further chaos after it overwhelmingly rejected Europe's latest bailout package in a vote yesterday.

With all of the votes counted in a referendum that will shape the future of the continent, the 'No' campaign has a staggering 61 per cent of the vote.