GREECE DROPS SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS, NOT FOR SA

It seems as if the green mamba, as the South African passport is affectionately known, is still a reason why many South Africans can’t afford to travel.

Despite the weak Rand making it challenging to fly or travel, countries in Europe’s Schengen state won’t allow South Africans to enter their countries without a valid Schengen visa.

Greece belongs to the Schengen state, but in a bid to encourage tourists to visit their shores, the country has dropped the strict visa requirements for almost 200 countries… Except South Africa.

Mainland Greece and its network of more than 2,000 islands offer beautiful coasts and scenery, but its rugged and dry terrain has made it difficult to challenge inland. Only 170 of the islands are inhabited.

Many are wondering whether this is a good idea as the islands are already struggling to accommodate all the tourists arriving during the summer.

At the beginning of August, more than 11,000 tourists arrived on the same day when their cruise ships docked at Santorini. The island only has 20,000 inhabitants and many locals are complaining that their once quiet life has been turned upside down to accommodate for the many tourists flocking there.

Image credit: The Telegraph