Minister Confident Travel to Rhodes Remains Safe Despite Wildfires

Michael Gove, a UK cabinet minister, has reassured tourists that it is still safe to travel to Rhodes, despite the ongoing wildfires that have been ravaging the island. Gove’s statement came as pressure mounted on the Foreign Office to reconsider its travel advice, which currently does not classify Rhodes as a high-risk destination requiring a refund for tourist trips.

The minister acknowledged that the wildfires have caused significant disruption and damage to the island, but emphasized that the government is doing everything it can to support the affected Greek authorities. “We do need to support the Greek government in dealing with the situation in Rhodes,” Gove said. “My heart goes out to those who are affected. But I think the advice is clear. If you follow the Foreign Office advice, it is safe.”

Gove’s confidence in the safety of travel to Rhodes is supported by his own plans to take a holiday to a Greek island next week, albeit not Rhodes. “In fact, I’m due to go on holiday, God willing, to Greece in just over a week’s time, not to Rhodes but to another island and I’m looking forward to going,” he told Sky News.

However, not everyone agrees with Gove’s assessment of the situation. Labour MPs and the Liberal Democrats are calling for Rhodes to be added to the “red list” of destinations from which the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel. Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson, argued that many families are unable to claim against their insurance as a result of the wildfires, leaving them out of pocket.

Some travel firms have faced criticism for continuing to fly tourists to Rhodes, with Alicia Kearns, chair of parliament’s foreign affairs select committee, accusing them of “profiteering.” Kearns called on travel companies to take a more responsible approach and not prioritize profits over the safety and well-being of their customers.

Despite these criticisms, Gove believes that travel companies have behaved responsibly and are doing their best to assist those affected by the wildfires. The minister did acknowledge that the fires have been limited to one part of the island, but maintained that the overall advice from the Foreign Office remains unchanged.

As the situation on Rhodes continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the government will reconsider its travel advice or whether tourists will continue to flock to the island in spite of the ongoing wildfires.