Almost half of Greeks will skip their summer vacation this year because of the rising cost of living, according to a new...

Almost half of Greeks will skip their summer vacation this year because of the rising cost of living, according to a new Alco poll published Monday by To Vima. The survey found that 47% of respondents said they would not take a vacation this summer, compared to 44% who said they would. The economic picture behind that number is bleak. Asked how their financial situation compares to a year ago, 47% said it has gotten worse, 45% said it has stayed the same, and only 7% said it has improved. With nearly half the population feeling financially worse off than last year, the decision to skip travel is not surprising. Among those skipping vacations, accommodation costs were the single biggest factor, with 76% saying the price of lodging heavily influenced their decision. The cost of meeting other basic needs came in close behind, cited as a major factor by 74%. Ticket and transport costs affected 59% significantly, while food costs weighed heavily on 49%. For those who are still traveling, 59% expect their vacation to look about the same as last year, while 21% plan to do less and only 15% plan to do more. The most popular accommodation choice among those who are traveling is staying at their own home or a relative's property, chosen by 46%, followed by hotels at 37%, Airbnb at 12%, and camping at 5%. The poll also touched on Greece-Turkey tensions in the Aegean. A slim plurality, 46%, said they are not worried about an escalation, while 44% said they are, and 10% were unsure. #Greece #CostOfLiving #Greeks