Gradually, Greece begins its deconfinement to start the tourist season. The Acropolis of Athens, flagship monument of Antiquity, opens its doors on Monday morning like all archaeological sites in the country, after two months of suspension of their operation due to restrictions taken to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Tourism, the second pillar of the Greek economy, behind the merchant marine, affects all sectors of activity. The forecasts for this year are catastrophic.

Despite the heat and the summer air, the Greeks are worried about their future. "We have gone through a huge economic crisis. By the time we got our heads out of the water, this ordeal (of the Covid-19) has arrived. We live on tourism and now there is nothing left."

"A season with half the tourism"

In a seaside hotel complex north of Athens, everyone is busy getting everything ready before the summer season. "The law now requires us to clean the air conditioning every week and for each client, we change the filters, explains hotel manager Akis Papaioanou. We must also leave the window open so that the air entering the room be renewed when the air conditioning is on. Distance is everywhere, you need for example four meters between each parasol. "

After being serious during confinement, limiting the number of victims of Covid-19, the Greeks would like to capitalize on this credit to save the tourist season. But many remain pessimistic. "You know, this year will be a season with half as much tourism, estimates Christos Panaretou, travel agent at Yalos Tours. This is why the winter will be hard, very hard."

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