Despite the crisis in tourism and travel, Greece is currently drawing a special category of traveler: owners of mega-yachts, that is, yachts over 50 meters in length (164 ft).

Concern is growing over a significant number of accidents, some of them fatal, involving all-terrain vehicles (ATV), or quad bikes, a popular mode of transport among tourists on the islands, amid lax enforcement of rules relating to their rental. 

Russian authorities may this week announce the resumption of international flights to France, Hungary, Malta, Cyprus, Jordan, Egypt and China's Shanghai, the Izvestia newspaper cited unnamed airport and airline sources as saying on Monday.

The Environment Ministry has announced plans to crack down on illegal construction on Mykonos and Santorini. 

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and other countries’ decisions that residents returning from holidays in certain destinations must quarantine – or even the prospect of such a measure – are leading Greek tourism to an early shutdown.

Health workers at the port of Piraeus were out in force over the weekend, taking the temperature of thousands of holiday-makers returning from the Greek islands. Amid a continued upward trend in infections, staff have been instructed to submit travelers with symptoms, as well as random passengers, to swab tests for Covid-19. There is particular concern about people returning from the Aegean islands and other parts of the country that have seen localized spikes in infections. Authorities have imposed restrictions in those areas, including curfews on restaurants, bars and nightclubs in a bid to contain the virus. [Panagiotis Tzamaros/Intime News] 

The president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) is asking the government to extend measures such as subsidizing employers’ social security contributions for employees and allowing tourism businesses to suspend contracts.

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, which has likely not reached its peak, and the travel regulations imposed by certain countries, such as Finland and the United States, which make quarantine mandatory for their residents returning from trips abroad, have put paid to hopes that peak season could be shifted to September and October.

In a letter to Kathimerini, the Association of Cruise Shipowners and Maritime Groups has refuted the paper’s interpretation of a recent statement it made that it wants a renewed ban on cruises.

Greece's current account balance turned to a large deficit in June from a surplus in the same month last year on the back of a deterioration in the services balance due to a hit on tourism, the Bank of Greece said on Thursday.

People, some wearing face masks to guard against the spread of the new coronavirus, are seen in the Little Venice area of Mykonos, Greece, on Sunday. Following a spike in Covid-19 infections, authorities on Wednesday imposed new restrictions on the island and on the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece. All parties, open-air markets and religious festivals have been banned, while gatherings must be limited to nine people. There are reports of 70 active infections on Mykonos, while each infected person in Halkidiki is believed to have infected at least three more people in Thessaloniki. [Thanassis Stavrakis/AP] 

Norway said on Wednesday it will impose a 10-day quarantine on all people arriving from Britain, Austria, Greece and Ireland from Aug. 22 due to rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in those countries.

Finland says it will tighten travel restrictions and reintroduce and step up border checks for arrivals from 10 countries starting Monday due to the worsening pandemic situation in Europe and elsewhere.

Greek authorities are imposing extra restrictions in the top holiday destinations of Mykonos island and the northern resort region of Halkidiki after an increase in the number of coronavirus cases traced back to those areas. The Civil Protection authority says starting Friday through Aug. 31, all events such as live parties, religious processions, open-air markets are banned, while gatherings are limited to a maximum of nine people, both in public and in private settings. A maximum of four people are allowed per table at restaurants, or six people per table in cases of immediate family members. Masks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor areas on Mykonos and throughout Halkidiki province. [AP]

A violent brawl that broke out in Hersonissos, northern Crete, between two groups of French tourists on Monday had followed an argument over two cans of an energy drink, according to local news website www.cretalive.gr. 

Businesses across economic sectors posted significant earnings losses in June, despite the fact that was the month that the lockdown ended.

Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias on Tuesday rejected arguments that Greece’s reopening to tourism is partly responsible for the recent jump in coronavirus infections.

Teams of doctors and health professionals from the Region of Attica will set up a permanent centre at the port of Piraeus to run tests on returning holidaymakers, in an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Wary of a rise in daily coronavirus cases that threatens to undo its relative success in containing the pandemic so far, the Greek government is imposing local restrictions on businesses, especially those that cater to big crowds, and business owners on the island of Mykonos don't like it one bit.

Hotels may be losing serious money, as the coronavirus pandemic is spiking again, but old investments had to be completed; hence the latest addition to Athens’ boutique hotels, which opens Friday.