Greek Hoteliers Urge Health Protocols for Airbnb-style Rentals

Greece’s hoteliers called on the government to implement Covid-19 health and hygiene protocols for short-term rentals in order to protect legal accommodation operations and ensure the quality of the country’s tourism product.

In a letter to Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis and Greek Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos, the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) is requesting immediate actions that will curb the “uncontrolled operation of short-term rentals during the pandemic”.

A key demand is the implementation of standards similar to those enforced in other European countries as well as hygiene and safety provisions.

Highlighting the important role Greek hoteliers have played in maintaining the safety of visitors during the unprecedented health crisis and at the same time protecting the country’s reputation, POX goes on to note that “many short-term rental facilities have operated and are operating uncontrollably, as well as illegally without health protocols and safety standards”.

POX goes on to claim that many of the quarantine hotels reached full capacity catering to the needs of tourists infected with Covid-19 who were however staying at Airbnb-style facilities.

Greek hoteliers have repeatedly over the years called on the government to identify the illegally operating short-term rental facilities and put an end to what they say is “unfair play”.

“It is our observation that though additional restrictions are being imposed on the economy as a whole, illegal accommodation and short-term rentals continue to operate uncontrollably in the midst of the pandemic,” POX said in the letter.

“This situation must end. All accommodation that operates illegally must be identified and penalized,” the letter goes on, adding that for apartments rented out short-term, specific provisions must be introduced.