People who have been vaccinated, have antibodies or a negative test for coronavirus will be able to go on holiday to Greece, Tourism Minister, Harry Theocharis, said on Tuesday.

Tourism accounts for the biggest share of GDP in Greece, so the country has requested the establishment of a vaccination certificate at EU level to allow travel.

The industry accounts for a fifth of the Greek economy and employs one in five workers, but has been hit badly by a coronavirus pandemic since last year.

Greece intends to open the vital summer season by mid-May, Theocharis announced as he addressed the ITB Berlin tourism fair from the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

"Greece is ready and has a comprehensive protocol for the summer of 2021," Theocharis said.

“Tourists will be welcome if they have been vaccinated, have antibodies or a negative finding before the trip. All tourists will be subjected to random testing,” he added.

The Greek tourism minister said the priority after vaccinating the most vulnerable would be people employed in the hospitality industry and that more frequent employee testing would be required.

Greece has shut down several parts of the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus after a sharp rise in infections has put pressure on the health system, but it is still holding up better than most of Europe.