If there is a wildfire at the resort, it is of the utmost importance to keep your phone on, say the tour operators. Do not go near the fire area.
Climate change is heating up the Mediterranean region faster than the rest of Europe, and wildfires have ravaged holiday destinations, for example in Greece.
Tourists have also had to be evacuated. The most recent case is from the Greek island of Kos, where several travel agencies have evacuated travelers from hotels due to wildfires during Monday evening and night. Among them are at least more than 70 Finns. Two of them have not been reached.
Tour operators advise on what to do when a wildfire rages.
1. Keep your phone with you and charged
Local authorities often send current information via text messages. A traveler on a package trip also receives information on his phone from the tour operator, and in exceptional situations, efforts are made to reach passengers. That’s why it’s especially important to keep your phone with you in every situation and make sure the battery is charged.
2. Follow local websites
In exceptional circumstances, situations can change very quickly. The most up-to-date and correct information can be found on the resort’s official website and social media.
3. Visit the hotel reception
A good source of information in exceptional situations is also the hotel reception. The staff there are usually aware of the situation. Often, the authorities are also in direct contact with hotels near the fire area.
The hotel staff is also able to follow media writing in the local language.
4. Keep important items nearby
In addition to the phone and charger, it is also important to keep your passport, money and daily medications with you. In the event of an evacuation, suitcases may not be taken with you, and in that case they will remain at the hotel.
5. In an evacuation situation, take a water bottle with you
Due to the hot climate, it is important to drink water regularly. That’s why it’s important to take a water bottle with you, especially in an evacuation situation. If possible, you should also take a small snack with you from the hotel room.
Water and food are often available at evacuation points.
6. Do not go filming in the fire area
You can film a wildfire from the hotel balcony, but you are not allowed to film in the fire area under any circumstances.
The authorities inform about areas where movement is prohibited, or if travelers should stay at a hotel. The authorities’ instructions must always be followed.
The tour operators remind you that even before the trip, it is important to make a travel declaration recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whether it is a self-directed or a package trip. Then you will also receive information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland if something unusual happens at the destination.
Experts from Tjäreborg, Aurinkomatkoi and TUI have been interviewed for the story.