Eyjafjallajokull Volcano the dust finally settles. So how did it effect Europe Travel…
Europe Travel enthusiastically started the summer season in Rhodes and welcomed our newest tour operator Antipodes Voyages together with Look Voyage arriving from France on 11 April and our long standing Finnish tour operator Aurinkomatkat on 10 April. The devastating effects of the massive volcanic eruption in Iceland instantly disrupted air traffic. All flights were immediately cancelled (with the exception of Cyprus and Israel).
Fortunately after the 2nd and 3rd day of the incident Europe Travel in co-operation with the respective tour operators managed to successfully transport all clients back to their country of origin via alternative airports and follow on transportation.
Yet, the influence of the volcanic dust on Rhodes incoming tourism was really heavy. According to statistical data published from Diagoras airport,  the charter arrivals during the month of April 2010 recorded a major decline of -31,4% or -7,474pax vs same month last year.  More spefically the arrivals on Apr.2010 were 16,353pax vs 23,827pax on Apr.2009. The markets mainly affected were: Germany -76%, the Belelux countries -66% and the Scandinavian countries -73%.