Konstantinos Taraslias
Repatriation flights head for Greece as wildfires force tourists to flee
Wildfires burned across Greece on Monday, forcing people to be evacuated from a beach on the island of Corfu while tourists crowded an airport on Rhodes after thousands fled hotels and resorts at the weekend.
Fires burning since Wednesday on Rhodes forced the evacuation of 19,000 people over the weekend as an inferno reached coastal resorts on the island's southeastern coast.
Greece lays groundwork for opening to tourists in make-or-break year for sector
Greece began opening to tourists today with few bookings but hopes for a better season to help make up for a 2020 devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
On Rhodes, where most visitors are from abroad, hoteliers are scrubbing, polishing and painting in anticipation of a make-or-break year.