Greek Hoteliers: Stayover Tax Should Be Reassessed

Greek hoteliers are calling on the government to re-examine and redesign the so-called stayover tax which is imposed on hotel customers and set to increase in the coming period.

“Conversion of the stayover tax into a ‘green charge’ gives us the satisfaction that revenues would be funding projects that will support the country, destinations and fellow citizens affected by natural disasters and is therefore in the right direction,” said Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) President Grigoris Tasios.

He went on to add however that the hospitality sector has repeatedly called on the government to abolish the stayover tax that was initially introduced in 2017 during the economic crisis as part of Greece’s bailout agreements.

Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) President Grigoris Tasios.

Tasios underlined that if the tax is here to stay, it should be reassessed and redesigned taking into consideration hotel location, size, special circumstances, room rates and thus be adjusted based on these factors instead of being a flat charge.

He added that it was “an opportunity to plan the measure from the beginning, more rationally, in order to generate the expected results in the joint effort to deal with the climate crisis without the risk of damaging the country’s competitiveness as a tourist destination”.

The federation’s president concluded that once the specific emergency fee is removed, relevant revenues should go towards local governments enabling them to carry out necessary tourist infrastructure projects.

Commenting on Mitsotakis’ announcement to tax Airbnb revenues, Tasios welcomed the decision, which he said will finally ensure fair conditions for all, increase public revenues, boost employment and create a healthy market on equal terms.