Tourism in Agios Vasileios, Crete, pushes for recovery after southern Rethymno wildfires

Local tourism operators in the municipality of Agios Vasileios are urging visitors to keep choosing the area despite the recent wildfires that burned parts of southern Rethymno, Crete. Most hotels, rental accommodations, restaurants, cafés and shops remain open, and officials are promoting the region’s beaches, gorges, historic monasteries and traditional cuisine to sustain the local economy.

The fire‑affected zone includes popular spots such as Plakia, Preveli, Agios Pavlos, Triopetra and others. While the blaze damaged some areas, the iconic palm forest near Preveli was largely spared, and early assessments suggest the ecosystem can regenerate naturally. Pepi Birlikaraki, vice‑president of the Rethymno Hoteliers Association, said, “The whole tourism sector is united and doing everything possible to bring the area back to normal.” The tourism season is expected to continue through September and into the autumn months, with authorities seeking to attract both domestic and foreign visitors.