More Overnight Stays in Jan-Aug 2017 for Thessaloniki Hotels

Photo Source: Thessaloniki Hotels Association

Hotels in the northern port city of Thessaloniki reported more overnight stays in the first eight months of the year, up by 4.26 percent, the Thessaloniki Hotels Association (THA) said on Monday.

The number of overnight stays in the January-August 2017 period came to 1,546,081 from 1,482,917 in the corresponding 2016 period, with the city’s hotels hosting fewer Greek travelers, down by 7.08 percent to 712,836 against 767,174 last year. Holidaymakers from abroad grew by 16.42 percent to 833,245 this year against 715,743 in 2016.

The most significant change, according to the THA, is the growing number of overnight stays by Israeli travelers which rose by 90.49 percent from 29,325 in 2016 to 55,860 in 2017 bringing this specific market from 11th place last year to 3rd this year.

The number of German travelers staying in the city’s hotels also rose by 31.51 percent to 54,802 overnighters placing this market in fourth place and the Romanians now rank fifth with 53,309 overnight stays, up 25.83 percent.

Photo source: Thessaloniki Hotels Association

The THA reported a decline in the number of UK travelers but an increase in visitors from Sweden, Poland and Spain.

On the downside, Thessaloniki is still not seeing growing revenue from its hospitality sector. The city is last among European destinations in terms of relevant earnings. According to a GBR Consulting survey, the average room rate in the first eight months of 2017 rose by 5.3 percent as did revenue per room (RevPar) by 9.6 percent.