Our article earlier in the week, reporting on an incident in Rhodes involving two British tourists on an all-inclusive package holiday, proved to be very popular with our readers. The responding comments and shares, that the news item received, showed how much this subject is seen, by it’s users as a godsend, but by the people living, in this case, in Greece, as a serious threat to local communities and their economies.
Amogst all the others, the article was also shared by a gentleman called James, who writes a blog from his home on the Island of Symi, very close to Rhodes, in the Dodecanese Islands, and which is called Symi Dream.
James, like most of us, saw the details of what happened as amusing initially, but then went on to bring some other thoughts and suggestions of his to the discussion and would like to share those with the readers of fonien.gr in English, to share with all of their friends, work colleagues and family.
In his words; “It’s mildly amusing, except that it is not. As that short article goes on to point out, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and the ‘all inclusive’ deal is killing smaller business. It looks like it’s spreading beyond the package hotels and stalag-style resorts. So, here’s a gentle reminder: If you are on an all-inclusive holiday, a) it only relates to your resort, b) get out of it and see the island around you, there’s more to Greece than free beer and a swimming pool/pissoir, and c) if you like the country, help the local businesses by venturing into them and using them. I know, many people do the dreaded all-in because of the cost and with a large family to feed and water they are cost effective, but if you can, do try and support small local business. You will be, after all, not just putting your money into a huge conglomerate but helping a family feed its own children and pay its own bills, the tax from which will stay in the country and help out everyone else.”
The article on his blog is in full below and makes for interseting reading:
By James Collins
All inclusive (apart from the brains)
Monday was a bank holiday. I spent a day at home working, writing, doing some odd jobs, watching the view, and getting some washing done in the super-fast new washing machine.
Symi Greece Symi Dream
Tuesday started with an alarm at 6.00, a short walk up to the ‘Mousecastle’ (I’ll take my camera next time) and back, some work and some browsing around trying to find an idea for the blog. Then I came across an article that two of my blogging friends had picked up on. The news came from Fonier.gr, a site I’d not found before. The article starts: “A British couple were in the Old Town of Rhodes in a taverna, in the belief that they could eat and drink whatever they wanted, without paying, because……they had booked an all-inclusive holiday package!!”
It’s mildly amusing, except that it is not. As that short article goes on to point out, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and the ‘all inclusive’ deal is killing smaller business. It looks like it’s spreading beyond the package hotels and stalag-style resorts. So, here’s a gentle reminder: If you are on an all-inclusive holiday, a) it only relates to your resort, b) get out of it and see the island around you, there’s more to Greece than free beer and a swimming pool/pissoir, and c) if you like the country, help the local businesses by venturing into them and using them. I know, many people do the dreaded all-in because of the cost and with a large family to feed and water they are cost effective, but if you can, do try and support small local business. You will be, after all, not just putting your money into a huge conglomerate but helping a family feed its own children and pay its own bills, the tax from which will stay in the country and help out everyone else.
Thanks to my two blogging mates for highlighting this horror story. Amanda has her Rhodes based blog, Olive, Feta and Ouzo with great pics and posts about life in Greece, recipes and other handy things, and Rebecca has Life Beyond Borders where she talks about travels as a professional travel blogger and Rough Guide reviewer (Dodecanese islands) and traveller. Rebecca is also the author of ‘Girl Gone Greek.’
