Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece has offered a one-week free stay next year on the island of Rhodes to tourists affected by the recent intense wildfires. Thousands of tourists and locals were forced to evacuate homes and hotels in July, marking the largest evacuation effort ever carried out in the country.

Mitsotakis assured that the situation on Rhodes, where only 15% was affected by the fires, is now back to normal. However, he recognized the inconvenience caused to the visitors. In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, he announced that the Greek government, in collaboration with local authorities, would provide the free holidays in spring or fall next year.

The details of the offer, including whether flights are included, have not been clarified yet. It appears that the peak summer season may not be included.

Mitsotakis also highlighted the changing nature of wildfires in the Mediterranean, citing climate change as the cause of their increasing intensity. However, he assured listeners that there are currently no active wildfires and the weather forecast for the next 15 days looks promising.

Tourism is a crucial part of Greece’s economy, with Rhodes being a popular holiday destination. The recent fires caused significant damage on the island, with initial reports citing that 45 buildings were damaged.

Greek travel agents have started a 'Rhodes is safe' campaign to encourage tourists to return to the island. The Prime Minister reiterated this sentiment, stating that 'Rhodes today is more welcoming than ever.