Athens Hotels See 5.9% Surge in January-March Occupancy Over 2023

Occupancy levels at hotels in Athens increased by 5.6 percent reaching 63.5 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, compared to Q1 2023, according to data released this week by the Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association.

Average daily rate (ADR) also increased by 3.9 percent to 98.47 euros up from 94.75 euros last year while revenue per available room (RevPar) marked a 10 percent increase to 62.48 euros up from 56.79 euros in Q1 2023.

In March, occupancy levels grew by 1.5 percent to 71.5 percent from 70.4 percent in the same month a year ago, ADR increased by 7.4 percent to 107.86 euros up from 100.43 euros, and RevPar grew by 9 percent to 77.08 euros up from 70.72 euros in March 2023.

Based on this momentum, the association is forecasting a positive trend for the year ahead.

Athens hoteliers respond to mayor

Meanwhile, in response to claims by Athens Mayor Haris Doukas that the number of hotels operating in the Greek capital had increased, the association said that there were currently 295 hotels operating in the center of Athens accounting for 18,198 rooms and 34,790 beds.

Doukas called on hoteliers to share a portion of their revenues, arguing that tourist arrivals to the city were tripling creating increasing needs for the municipality. He suggested an extra tax to be paid by hotels would help the municipality deal with the increasing cost of municipal services needed to meet the demand of millions of tourists during the peak months.

In their response, hoteliers said that full (100 percent) hotel occupancy actually translates into a total of 35,000 visitors. Additionally, the association goes on to add that in the 2007-2013 period, 31 hotels out of 81 in total accounting for 2,621 beds went out of business. The number of hotels in the Athens municipality went from 227 and 27,569 beds in 2013 to 295 and 34,790 beds in 2024.

In terms of revenues, according to hoteliers, these come to a total of 2.5 billion euros annually and include all units in Athens and Attica. There are currently 701 hotels operating in the wider Athens-Attica region.

Doukas has called for the increase of the municipal duty charged on hoteliers and short-term rental owners to 2 percent from the current 0.5 percent. Currently, he said, the municipality of Athens collects 0.42 cents per tourist.