Greek Music Quota Bill Still Triggering Reactions in Tourism

A Greek Culture Ministry bill that if passed will require hotels, casinos, ports and airports across the country to play a minimum of 45 percent Greek language songs and music in public areas has triggered a strong reaction of tourism bodies in the country which are calling on the Tourism Ministry to intervene.

In a meeting with Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni this week, Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) President Alexandros Vassilikos requested the immediate withdrawal of certain provisions in the controversial bill.

Vassilikos reiterated that hoteliers have already taken actions to ensure neighboring rights are collected through an online platform and that more collection associations were currently in negotiations to join.

Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) President Alexandros Vassilikos discussing the controversial bill with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (left).

Last week, 55 hotelier associations representing more than 7,000 hotels in Greece under the umbrella of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) issued a joint statement calling on the ministry to withdraw the controversial bill arguing the bill is “intrusive”, goes against the principles of the liberal market, and will backfire as business owners will chose not to play music in public spaces altogether.

Hoteliers warned that they would be taking the matter to court if the bill is not scrapped.

Vassilikos went on to add that the Culture Ministry has “failed” to consider the importance and contribution of the tourism sector in the decision.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and her advisor, Konstantinos Zikos, during the meeting with the president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.

In response, Kefalogianni said it was vital that tourism stakeholders’ concerns and proposals should be taken into account in order to ensure a “holistic, fair and developmental approach” to the issue.

The Greek tourism minister went on to add that any legislation should be “the result of dialogue and be governed by modern and innovative European governance that respects the liberal functioning of the market”.