Greece to pay for stranded travellers

Greece is promising to cover the extra costs of visitors stranded in the debt-ridden country, in a bid to boost the vital tourism industry.

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos says the pledge will apply to tourists whose visits are prolonged due to strikes or even natural disasters.

Geroulanos said on Monday that "we are guaranteeing to pay any extra room and board any visitor in Greece pays even if stuck here because of a volcano in Iceland".

He spoke at a press conference on a new internet drive to advertise Greece as a tourist destination.

Tourism accounts for more than 15 per cent of Greek gross domestic product.

Industry experts say they are seeing a drop of about 10-12 per cent in bookings this year as the country faces a budget crisis.