The global financial crisis is taking its toll on the number of Greek Australian tourists travelling to Greece this year according to local travel agents.

Three Greek travel agencies revealed to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) that there has been a significant drop in the number of travellers to Greece compared to same period last year. The decrease is estimated between 20 to 35 percent.

“I have seen a drop of 30 to 35 percent this year,” said Andreas Tsitsanis of Harvey World Travel. “This time around last year we couldn’t sit still; that’s how busy we were. Now it’s a different story now,” he added. Mr Tsitsanis admitted that due to lack of business he had to cut down on his staff.

Paul Mavroudis estimates that Parthenon Travel has seen a 20 to 30 percent drop in bookings for travel to Greece. Although the airline ticket prices this year are more competitively priced than last year, the effects of the global financial crisis are clearly visible in the tourism industry according to Mavroudis.

Mr Tsitsanis argues that 2009 is one of the worst years ever for travel agencies and highlights that the decline in bookings for travel to Greece started in August 2008.

Kostas Kavalakis of Grecian Tours confirms the impact the global economic crisis on bookings for travel to Greece while reporting a 15-20 percent decrease in bookings.

“We shouldn’t disregard also the effect that the euro has on these potential travellers to Greece,” Mr Kavalakis underscored.

All three travel agents agree that there is volatility in the pricing of tickets to Greece because the impact of the global economic crisis on travel is unclear.

Booking well ahead of time will not necessarily guarantee you a better price.

Mr Kavalakis also cautions travellers that last minute bookings may not result in lower prices on tickets to Greece.

Thai Airways have already to cut their weekly flights to Greece from four to three.

However new kid on the block, Etihad Airlines, is taking on Emirates, Singapore and Thai on the Melbourne – Athens route by scheduling three flights a week to Athens.