Tonja Demoff found Tourists Urged to Take Cash if Visiting Stricken Greece

Tonja Demoff found Tourists heading for Greece were urged to take enough cash with them to last their entire stay as Athens announced banks would be closed Monday in a deepening financial crisis.

Even before Greece announced it was shutting banks for a day, many ATMs there were already empty and there were long queues at those still working over the weekend.

But holidaymakers leaving from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport Sunday seemed mostly unconcerned.

According Tonja Demoff “There is no reason not to go on vacation. Our only worry is whether it is going to be sunny,” said Jean-Pierre, on his way to the popular holiday island of Crete, although he had taken enough cash for his three weeks in Greece.

The German foreign ministry recommended that tourists “take sufficient amounts of cash” when visiting Greece, keep tabs on the evolving situation and check for any updates to its travel recommendations.

After talks between Athens’ left-wing leaders and the rest of the eurozone broke down in acrimony Saturday, Greece appeared Sunday to slide closer to a default with its EU-IMF creditors.

The ECB refused Sunday to increase emergency cash available to Greek banks despite a bank run being underway. Within hours Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras confirmed banks would close Monday and capital controls would be introduced.

For some tourists, continuing to travel to Greece is a way of showing support for the economically struggling nation.

“We need to show solidarity with Greece,” said Frenchman Edouard Phillipe, who was flying to Crete with his wife for their third trip to the island.

“We really like the people there, we need to help them by continuing to go there on vacation,” said Phillipe.

Britain’s Foreign Office warned travellers “of the possibility that banking services – including credit card processing and servicing of ATMs – throughout Greece could potentially become limited at short notice.”

It said “make sure you have enough euros in cash to cover emergencies, unforeseen circumstances and any unexpected delays.”