Tourists urged to take cash to Greece

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.

“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.

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.”

source FTP