Many tourists want to go home earlier: this is what Swiss tour operators say about the situation in Rhodes

class=”sc-29f61514-0 fQbOYE”>

Forest fires on the Greek island of Rhodes reached devastating proportions on Saturday. The entire coastline, inhabited by countless vacationers, had to be evacuated in a short time.

Among them are travelers from Switzerland. The phone lines at the Tui Suisse travel agency are overheating. “Several hundred guests have been affected by the situation in Rhodes,” said a spokesperson for Blick. The situation is being followed very closely and we are in contact with local authorities. Tui decided to cancel all flights and booked a trip to Rhodes for departures until Tuesday 25 July. Customers arriving on Wednesday, July 26 can rebook or cancel free of charge.

“We are currently actively collecting information on the whereabouts and condition of guests by calling them and putting them in touch with evacuation centres,” the spokesperson said. Safety is the top priority. Hotel accommodation is actively sought in unaffected parts of the island. Travelers should also use the Tui app to stay up-to-date.

Hotelplan passengers also want to go home

Tour operator Hotelplan Suisse is also in contact with people affected in Rhodes who need to be evacuated. “But they’re all well taken care of by our local partner agency,” explains Bianca Gähweiler, Blick’s spokesperson. No injuries.

All the affected tourists have already stayed at other hotels on the island. “There are also customers who want to go home earlier. We are in the process of arranging earlier return flights with our local partner,” continues Gähweiler. With Swiss, for example: The airline still flies to Rhodes and back again.

Travelers planning to visit Rhodes in the next few days will be proactively contacted by Hotelplan. “The trip can be canceled or rebooked for free,” says Gähweiler. This applies to all travelers who book a trip by Friday, July 28.

If you still want to start the journey, of course you can. A Blick reader says you can enjoy your vacation in the north of the island without any hassle. Currently in Faliraki: “You don’t feel anything here and everything is perfect.”

Kuoni also provides proactive information

Tour operator Kuoni has several dozen travelers in Rhodes. “These are all good,” a Blick spokesperson confirmed. “We are currently in the process of accommodating those affected in hotels or public facilities.”

You see what kind of support they want individually with passengers. An earlier return trip or rebooking at hotels in other parts of the island is possible, subject to availability. “We receive a lot of questions, but we are also proactively approaching passengers,” the spokesperson continues.

For passengers between 23 July and 30 July, Kuoni has also decided on the right of free withdrawal. Alternatives are available based on availability.

Source :Blick