For Agios Efstratios and its closest large neighbor, Lemnos, the timing of the crisis is particularly cruel. They were seen as remote for years partly because you could only reach the islands by slow and unreliable ferries. In 2015, the government had finally given the contract to a new, efficient company and this has brought many new visitors to explore the islands’ charms. But, then, the bank controls hit. “This season started as the best season in 30 years and, in one week, it became the worst,” said Atzamis Konstantinos, a travel agent in Lemnos.
What caused this tourism season to be the worst in 30 years?
Introduction of bank controls Fewer controls on banks Slow, unreliable ferries Other islands became more popular