Athens Hoteliers Sign Athens 2004 Contracts

At least five Athenian hotels have signed contracts with tour and travel offices for room bookings during the 2004 Olympic Games.

Deluxe units of the capital have yet to sign such agreements, according to press reports, because of a disagreement over previously agreed-upon rates by the Athens Hoteliers’ Association. However, the association says it is close to reaching an agreement with the 2004 committee on all room rates. Official signing is expected sometime in April.

Last August, the then board of directors of the association had signed a memorandum with the committee whereby they agreed to a price range on rates up to and including the dates of the Games. But many hoteliers, particularly managers of first-class and deluxe units, were enraged over the agreement and now hope to secure better terms.

The initial agreement, for 25,000 rooms and 500,000 overnights, was signed by Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee, the leaders of the Athens Hoteliers Association and the Hellenic Tourism Organization.