Local tourism showing first symptoms of virus impact

Conferences are being canceled, bookings have slumped, deposit payments are being delayed, cancelation policies are being revised, city hotel occupancy rates are low and arrivals from abroad are dropping: These are the first signs of the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on Greek tourism, and they are expected to rise.

The gradual freeze of conference tourism is leaving Athens hotels empty and a drop in city break trips (according to airline industry sources) has already dealt a serious blow on hotels that are open all year round. In just one day last week, one Greek hotelier with year-round units received cancelation notices from 14 groups of foreign visitors.

It is clear that this was not as isolated incident. A simple walk around the historic Plaka district in downtown Athens, which would usually be teeming with tourists this time of year, shows almost empty...