Rhodes fires: Free holiday for evacuated tourists, Greek PM says

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged to give tourists who escaped the recent Rhodes wildfires, a free one-week holiday there next year. 

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, the PM said people could take up the offer in the spring or autumn of 2024.

He has yet to reveal the details of how the scheme would work.  

The Rhodes wildfires saw more than 20,000 people evacuated after fires broke out in July. 

Thousands of UK holidaymakers were flown home to the UK.

Mr Mitsotakis said: “Not a single human life was lost in Rhodes, and no injuries were reported… We understand that guests have been inconvenienced, but I am happy to tell you that Rhodes is more welcoming than ever. The island is back to normal.”

He also referenced the hospitality and “support” offered by Rhodes residents to stranded holidaymakers and encouraged people to consider the island as a last-minute holiday destination to give something back to the island.

He pointed out that Greece was prepared for incidents such as wildfires and repeatedly stated that Greece was “absolutely safe”.