Eligibility for Free Holiday on Rhodes After the 2023 Fires

The Greek Government has unveiled the details of the complimentary holiday it pledged to thousands of tourists who were evacuated during the devastating fires in Rhodes of last July.

Through its Rodos Week initiative, the Greek Ministry of Tourism will be distributing e-vouchers for six-night stays, available from April 4th to May 31st and from October 1st to November 15th in 2024. This offer aims to provide a memorable and rejuvenating experience for those affected.

Visitors that their holiday was affected by the wild fires should have already received an email informing them that they’ve been registered for an e-voucher through the Rodos Week program by their tour operator, travel agency, or hotel.

Eligibility

Only visitors who were evacuated from hotels on Rhodes during the wildfires are eligible for the vouchers. Those who fled from self-catering apartments or Airbnbs are not included in the program. Each eligible adult will receive a voucher for free accommodation.

The e-voucher should be used to complete seven overnight stays on Rhodes (six consecutive nights), in a hotel of their choice, which, however, is registered in the Hospitality Hotels Registry created for this purpose.

There has been some confusion on social media since details of the scheme were announced, with some people believing the vouchers are for a maximum of €500, but UK Director of the for Greek National Tourism Organisation Eleni Skarveli confirmed the limits stated in the official announcement refer to the amount of compensation issued to hotels, not guests.

“Guests should not worry about the cost,” she said, adding that they will be accommodated in hotels with prices similar or even higher to their original visit, depending on availability.

Further information can be found from the Ministry of Tourism in English here.