Greece Takes More Steps to Ensure Fair Play on Hospitality Market

Thessaloniki,, Greece.

In the upcoming period, actions will be taken to address the short-term tourist rental market, said Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during the “Greece Talks” conference held this week in Thessaloniki.

The aim, she said, of legislative revisions is to create a framework that ensures fair play in the hospitality sector.

Referring to Thessaloniki, Kefalogianni said there was great potential for tourism development. A step in this direction is the Greekend campaign which highlights Thessaloniki’s attractions and tourism offer as a city break.

In this direction, she went on to cite the agreement between the ministry and the Thessaloniki Film Festival which aims to promote the northern port city and the wider region and to enhance the visitor experience.

Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister; Margaritis Schinas, European Commission Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life; and Stavros Andreadis, Honorary President of SETE and Chairman of the Cultural Society of Entrepreneurs of Northern Greece.

Commenting on the issue of staff shortages ahead of the launch of the tourism season, Kefalogianni said the problem intensified during the pandemic and affected many countries in Europe not only Greece.

To address the issue, she said the ministry had upgraded tourism education which was crucial for the future and sustainability of the sector and will ensure the country’s tourism product remains competitiveness.

Lastly, commenting on a controversial bill tabled by the Culture Ministry concerning the imposition of a quota on music played at hotels, Kefalogianni said it was an “unacceptable intervention in the liberal market”.

“We are in favor of supporting artists, but not in this way,” she said, adding that “no one in tourism is saying that copyrights should not be collected but this shatters all efforts by artists and creators.

Kefalogianni went on to add that “Greek music repertoire must be supported,” but relevant legislation “must be the product of consultation with all stakeholders.”