It’s been a long night for Wright. Sunvil’s 50 guests were evacuated from the coastal resort of Nissake as ash started falling from the sky yesterday evening (Sunday 23 July). It was, as Wright admits, a “serious situation”, made worse by the visual horror of seeing the bright flames against the night sky.
The evacuation started at 10pm with all guests transported to safety by 3am. But by daybreak “the picture was a lot better”, and guests had already started returning to where they had been evacuated from.
“I chatted to the fire chief and they feel they’ve now got things under control,” Wright explains. “People are back on the beaches and are returning to their accommodation”.
Monday happens to be changeover day for Sunvil, with many guests were taken straight to the airport to return home – but what of those due to fly out from the UK, who will have undoubtedly been shaken by the news reports of wildfires not just on Corfu but also in Rhodes and Evia?
“We had the team located at UK airports this morning handing out leaflets to guests who were due to fly out asking if they want to cancel or still come. We made clear they would be located in a safe area and 70% have still chosen to travel,” says Wright.
While he is anxious not to make light of the situation, with the images emerging from Rhodes depicting devastation, Wright is also keen to reassure would be travellers headed to Corfu. “It’s a serious situation but Greece is very well versed in dealing with fires. I don’t think it’s any worse than in the past.”
He acknowledges that “with the prolonged temperatures it’s more of a worry that we may see more of the fires,” but adds that in Corfu it is “currently 38 degrees which is normal for this time of year”.
“Fire happens around our programme on and off [each year] and we are used to dealing with it. We’re asking people to travel as normal and we know we can deal with situations as they occur. I was concerned last night but I’m not unduly concerned this morning,” he says.
Wright accepts the images of the wildfires across the UK’s national press will undoubtedly have an impact on demand “but I want to show that life is returning to normal so people feel safe to travel”.
What the wildfires also demonstrate, like any crisis affecting holidaymakers, is the importance of booking with a trusted travel agent and tour operator.
“Our reps on the ground were there holding the hands of our guests throughout. They stayed with them through the night and put them on their flights this morning. That’s the key message we need to get out,” adds Wright – “The importance of booking with a reputable travel agent or tour operator.”
Chris Wright is managing director of Greek island specialist Sunvil.
