Authorities get strict as visitor numbers reflect resort’s failing reputation
Authorities in the Greek island resort of Faliraki have vowed to clamp down on anti-social behaviour that is threatening to ruin its reputation. According to the Daily Telegraph, the resort, on the island of Rhodes, is suffering a 27 per cent downturn in business after developing an “image problem”.
There were 11 serious sexual assaults in Faliraki last year, while there are frequent reports on drunkenness, lewdness and general all-round bad behaviour – largely, it has to be said, from UK holidaymakers. Now there will be more police officers of the streets of the resort, while tour operators will be obliged to give police details of “pub crawls” for guests.
Panos Argyros, UK director of the Greek tourist board, told the newspaper: “We had an image problem last year which has put certain people off. Young people drink heavily and end up not remembering where their hotel is. We do not want a repeat of that. We have taken great strides in attracting more families to Greece but not as many go to Faliraki. It is a beautiful place and should appeal to everyone but last summer the young people began to monopolise the resort.”
He said that 75,000 UK travellers had booked holidays in Faliraki by the end of June, compared to some 103,000 at the same stage last year.
