Greece’s Problem is Not Overtourism, Says Hoteliers Chief

Hellenic Hoteliers Federation President Yiannis Hatzis recently brushed off claims that Greece is experiencing overtourism.

Speaking to the Athens News Agency (ANA), Hatzis argued that concerns about “overtourism” have concealed the “real problem”, which he identifies as the lack of modern and functional infrastructure.

“Harming our country’s image is self-destructive and could have serious repercussions for local communities,” he stressed.

Hatzis also commented on the current state of Greece’s tourism sector, noting that despite increased arrivals at most Greek airports, this growth is not reflected in hotel occupancy rates. He attributes this disparity to the rapid expansion of short-term rental accommodations, which has absorbed much of the increased demand.

Regarding concerns within the hospitality sector for this year, Hatzis observed a slight slowdown during the peak months of the high season. He pointed out that bookings for high-end Greek hotels in July and August are not matching the trends of previous years, with hoteliers facing challenges in filling their rooms compared to earlier periods.

Hatzis noted that 2024 is shaping up to be a less dynamic tourism year compared to the previous two years, with signs of a slowdown in many destinations.

According to data from INSETE, there have been increases in passenger numbers at the airports of Athens (+15%) and Mitilini (+38%). However, decreases were reported at the airports of Kefalonia (-1%), Santorini (-4%), Mykonos (-9%), and Kavala (-11%).

Additionally, Hatzis highlighted a significant 12% drop in the spending per capita, particularly from Eurozone countries and the United Kingdom, based on recent figures released by the Bank of Greece for the January-May period.

“The trend we observed, where visitors were spending more money immediately after the pandemic, has completely halted… Our visitors are now extremely cautious with their spending, and all tourism sectors must responsibly address any exploitative practices,” he stressed.