Charm school for Greek taxi drivers

Greece’s Tourism Ministry today announced plans to spend €1.8m to teach taxi drivers better manners, as part of a campaign to improve services in the country’s vital tourism industry.

Taxi drivers’ behaviour has been cited in consumer surveys as a source of irritation to tourists visiting Athens.

“A key pillar of support to develop the industry is the quality of services and level of tourism awareness shown by professionals,” Tourism Minister Fani Pali-Petralia said.

She said about 5,000 taxi drivers would be eligible for the programme, which is due to start next year. She gave no details of what the classes would involve.