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After several unpleasant incidents in previous years, this year tourists visiting Greece appear to be better informed about the dangers of ultraviolet radiation and the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure.
Awareness about wearing hats has increased as Europe struggles with successive heatwaves and wildfires. The situation has triggered alarm, but has done little to discourage travel to Athens.
In the centre of the capital, more and more people are admiring the sights protected by hats, sunglasses and, in some cases, even umbrellas.
“I travel with a hat, and this umbrella also offers ultraviolet protection, so I have full UV protection,” said one tourist from Peru while visiting the Acropolis.
Red Cross volunteers confirm that visitors are better prepared.
Eirini Bourovili, a Red Cross volunteer, says she is handing out fewer and fewer hats during a campaign distributing a heat-stress prevention kit to visitors in Athens, which also includes water and sunscreen.
“People tend to use more hats and other protective methods such as sunscreen and sunglasses compared with the past, because I think they are now better informed about ultraviolet radiation and how sunlight and sun exposure can affect the skin and skin ageing, as well as skin cancer,” she explains.
Last summer was the third hottest in Greece’s history. That did not deter tourists: their numbers reached 38 million, setting a new record.
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