EUROZONE-GREECE/MYKONOS Tourists party in Mykonos amid Greek debt crisis

Record ID: 148801

  • Title: EUROZONE-GREECE/MYKONOS Tourists party in Mykonos amid Greek debt crisis
  • Date: 2nd July 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN TOURIST, BRYTNEE GARDNER, SAYING: "Here specifically it's awesome, that party beach, I mean music everywhere, people everywhere, it's really fun...The water is beautiful, um, I love it, and the houses everywhere, in the rocks, I think it's awesome, I really like it." TOURISTS LYING ON DECKCHAIRS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN TOURIST, MICHELL
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7ZZV69B20TD88MGUMI08E2FOB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: People on the trendy and expensive Greek Island of Mykonos partied on through Tuesday (June 30) as Athens grappled with a looming deadline on a debt payment to the IMF.
    On one of the most famous beaches of the island, the "Super Paradise Beach", dozens of tourists were lying in the sun, swimming, drinking and listening to music. It was a far cry from the images of people queuing at ATMs and last-gasp crisis talks between Greece and its international lenders.
    According to local hotels and shop owners, rooms on the small island were all booked up with no sign of cancellations related to the crisis.
    "Unbelievable, it's very nice, the weather, the music, everything is the best," Israeli tourist Hanoch told Reuters.
    American tourist Britnee Gardner was astonished by the contrast between Mykonos and Athens, which she had visited just days ago.
    "Here specifically it's awesome, that party beach, I mean music everywhere, people everywhere, it's really fun...The water is beautiful, um, I love it, and the houses everywhere, in the rocks, I think it's awesome, I really like it."
    Her friend Michelle Danielson echoed the sentiment.
    "Yeah, I feel like there is no crisis here at all," she said.
    The foreigners Reuters spoke to were not concerned by the capital controls imposed by the Greek government, nor were they afraid of running out cash on the Greek island.
    "We took some (cash) before coming, so, because we knew it in advance so, we took some, but not really for us, but I am sure it's going to be a problem for some people but not for us," said a Swiss tourist, Melanie.
    Tourism operators were also unfazed by the situation.
    "They (the tourists) can pay with credit card, the ATM is full, they can take money, we don't have problem, or with the credit card, the ATM or the tourists, we don't have problem...for now. I don't know after ten days or a month, but for now it's ok," said Constantina Politou, who owns a souvenir shop on Mykonos Town Harbour.
    But her optimism could be short-lived the longer the country's economy remains in limbo. Some shop owners have expressed fears over reservations being cancelled later during the holiday season.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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