ATHENS – Greece’s campaigns to lure tourists as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes doesn’t mention risks such as being gouged and now the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office said Brits traveling there have to be careful about assaults and spiked drinks.

More than 3 million British travelers visited Greece in 2022, a critical market and while there were only a few incidents of trouble an advisory was nonetheless given just as the Tourism Ministry was readying the welcome mat for spring arrivals.

The UK Foreign Office issued additional information on strikes and demonstrations, updated information on COVID-19 and staying safe, reported The Liverpool Echo.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/greece-travel-warning-issued-uk-26300118

The caution included the rarely-mentioned worry about bars serving diluted drinks at high prices or other patrons spiking them with drugs and noted that there were 33 cases of rape and sexual assaults reported to British consular staff in 2022.

It also said that, “We also saw a small number of other personal attacks reported, and in some cases the alleged attackers were also British nationals.”

The advisory added that all travelers should set up a WhatsApp group to keep touch with each other, save the location of their accommodation on a maps app so it’s easier to find at the end of the night and watch each other’s mixed drinks.

Also not to let a friend walk back to a hotel alone as a caution against being assaulted. It didn’t mention that the island of Zakynthos is a noted haven for British hooligans and violence among them.

There are regular strikes, sometimes called at short notice that can cause disruption to public transport, as well as road networks and borders. Political demonstrations can also occur frequently, the advisory noted of potential difficulties.