Mayor of Kos thanks travel trade as life on island 'returns to normal' following wildfire
James ChappleThe mayor of Kos has thanked the travel trade for its "dedication and support" and insisted life on the island is "already continuing as normal" after several hotels were evacuated owing to a wildfire near the village of Kardamaina.
Firefighters throughout Greece and across its islands dealt with more than 50 wildfires during a 24-hour period at the weekend and into Monday (1 July), including incidents on Kos and Chios, and near Greece’s capital Athens.
A precautionary evacuation order for Kardamaina was enforced by local authorities in Kos, triggering responses from all three of the UK’s major operators – Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet holidays.
Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet holidays all confirmed to TTG on Tuesday (2 July) they had assisted clients with transport back to their hotels after they were evacuated and that they had been given the all clear to continue with their holidays as normal.
’Sincere gratitude’
Mayor of Kos, Theodosis Nikitaras, confirmed the evacuation order had been lifted and life in Kardamaina "is already continuing as normal". "There are no damages to either the village or the accommodations," he said in a statement shared with TTG addressing the travel trade.
"We fully understand this interrupted the holidays and plans of many visitors. However, thanks to the immediate mobilisation of the authorities, citizens, and the effective operation of the firefighting mechanisms, we successfully followed our pre-determined plans and kept everyone safe.
"The cooperation of local authorities, tourism businesses, citizens and all visitors was exemplary. We made it through, and for that, we thank you. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the tourism professionals, volunteers, and all the residents of Kos for their dedication and support during this critical period."
Nikitaras also paid tribute to the island’s firefighters, military, security and civil protection personnel, and the island’s volunteers for their interventions. "Together, we prove every day that Kos is not only a beloved tourist destination but also an island of solidarity and strength."
The mayor urged the trade to continue supporting Kos, and to step up its efforts in the aftermath of the fire to champion the island. "Let’s continue promoting our island together," he said.
"Please inform us if there are any concerns or problems with your clients, whether they are already on the island or not. We are here to support you and to ensure both your clients already on the island will continue to enjoy their holidays and those planning to come in the coming days feel confident that they will have a wonderful holiday."
Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet holidays have all confirmed their flights and holiday programmes to Kos are going ahead as scheduled under normal booking terms and conditions.
Here is the latest from the UK’s three main operators.
Jet2holidays
"The local authorities in Kos requested a precautionary evacuation of Kardamaina yesterday evening (Monday 1 July) due to a wildfire affecting a part of the island.
"We can confirm the authorities ended these precautionary measures this morning (Tuesday 2 July), and we have helped transport customers back to their hotels to enjoy the rest of their holidays.
"Our teams were present to assist customers in-person throughout, and we continued to provide updates, including reminding customers of our 24/7 customer helpline details. We would like to thank customers for their understanding and patience.
"We are continuing to keep the situation under review, and our teams remain present to provide assistance to customers. Our flight and holiday programmes to Kos are operating as normal.
"The health, safety and well-being of everyone will always be our number one priority, and we will continue to make decisions in the best interests of our customers."
Tui
"The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and our teams have been working to support customers impacted by a wildfire in the Kardamaina area of Kos.
"Coaches are now transporting guests back to their hotels following a precautionary evacuation order which was issued last night by the Greek Civil Guard.
"We have our Tui reps on the ground supporting customers as they return to hotels. Customers in Kos are advised to continue to follow the advice of local authorities."
A Tui spokesperson added that while flights to Kos are continuing as normal, customers who were due to travel to the impacted area on Tuesday (2 July) have had their holidays cancelled. Impacted customers have been contacted directly and asked to contact Tui to discuss their options.
EasyJet holidays
"We are continuing to monitor the wildfire situation in the Kardamaina area of Kos, working closely with our teams in destination and the local authorities, who advise that the wildfire is now under control. Flights to and from Kos continue to operate normally.
"EasyJet holidays is in direct contact with customers currently on a package holiday in the area as well as those due to travel, and our dedicated partners are providing support in Kos to any customers should they require it.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our absolute highest priority."
A spokesperson added customers evacuated from their hotels by local authorities on Monday evening (1 July) have been supported by its team in-resort, with the operator now in the process of arranging for them to return to their hotels to continue their holidays.
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