Survey: Crisis in Greece Could Damage Travel Perception (VIDEO)

Despite recent assurances that the ongoing debt crisis in Greece could lead to a favorable exchange rate that drives travel, a recent survey by booking site GoEuro.com shows that the situation could be damaging tourists' perception of the country.

According to a GoEuro.com poll of 22,500 European travelers, countries less affected by economic crisis in recent years are more deterred by Greece's current situation. 

The perception of Greece in countries such as the UK, France, Germany or the Netherlands seemed to be more negative due to the current situation, whilst countries which were more disturbed by the Europe-wide economic crisis - which began in 2008 – appeared to have less of a negative view of Greece as a tourist destination.

72 percent of Germans who traveled to Greece in the last five years said that the financial and political situation affected their perception of the country in a negative way. Travelers from Spain, on the other hand, were less likely to view the situation so negatively, with up to 93 percent stating that it did not affect their perception of Greece.

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Negative perception among several of Greece's top inbound tourism markets has affected the willingness of travelers to visit, according to the survey. Travelers from Germany, France and the UK who have visited in the past five years have said that they are now less likely to visit due to the current situation. At the same time, Europeans from other countries have said that the situation would not affect plans to visit. In the case of visitors from Spain, it could even motivate another trip. 

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For travelers who have not visited Greece recently, the pattern is similar. Travelers from Spain, Italy and Portugal seem more likely to visit the country due to the current situation. 

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Update on Negotiations

Following Sunday's "no" vote on a referendum regarding the terms of an international bailout, negotiations between Greece, Germany and other nations in the eurozone have been ongoing. 

According to the New York Times, on Wednesday Greece requested another three-year loan from the eurozone's bailout fund. The request followed criticism by other eurozone leaders on Tuesday when Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras failed to provide a new and specific proposal for securing additional funds. Wednesday's proposal alluded to plans for an overhaul of Greece's tax and pension systems, but did not provide details. 

Visit GoEuro.com, and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for further updates on this developing story.