Greek Daily News 12/08/2024

ECONOMY

-The 2025 state budget is currently being drawn up and is expected to include approximately €880 million in interventions and relief measures, according to to the General Accounting Office.

-Greece is set to rank third among European countries in attracting mobile millionaires in 2024, following Italy and Switzerland, according to British investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners.

-The Overall Industrial Production Index (IPI) in June 2024 recorded an increase of 9.5% compared with June 2023, ELSTAT announced. The Overall IPI in June 2023 decreased by 3.0% compared with the corresponding index in June 2022.

-The annual inflation rate in Greece rose to 2.7% in July 2024 from 2.3% in the previous month. It was the highest level since April, the Hellenic Statistics Authority (ELSTAT) data showed. On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped by 0.7%, reversing a 0.5% gain in the prior period.

GENERAL

The wildfire that broke out in Varnavas on Sunday (Aug. 11) afternoon continued to rage in Eastern Attica on Monday (Aug. 12) morning, forcing evacuations of at least 11 towns and villages. The Penteli Children’s Hospital, the 414 Military Hospital, the Monastery of Agios Ephraim in Anatoli, and the Monastery of Penteli were also evacuated. The forces deployed against the flames have been increased to 560 fire fighters, with 16 teams of forest commandos and 177 vehicles, while 32 aircraft (17 airplanes and 15 helicopters) are operating from the air, AMNA reported.

TOURISM

-Tourists heading to Greece have been warned of extreme weather and wildfires as thousands of people were evacuated from areas near Athens.

-The disembarkation fee for cruise ship passengers in Greece is set to increase at Santorini and other popular destinations, with the fee expected to reach 10 euros per visitor, Greek Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gikas told Greece’s SKAI TV.

-Almost €2 billion will be invested by 2028 in expanding Greek airports’ capacity in view of the rapidly rising number of visitors, Kathimerini reported.

-Last month, a total of 14,464 vouchers from Greece’s 2024-2025 Social Tourism program issued by the Public Employment Service (DYPA) were redeemed for vacation accommodations across the country. Data for the period of July 1-31 reveal that the most popular destination for voucher holders was Evia, followed by Halkidiki and Preveza. These vouchers offer subsidized holidays to unemployed and low-income Greeks and their families.