Athens Hoteliers Call for Clarity on Proposed Fee Hikes

The Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association has called on the Greek government to reconsider its plans to increase two key fees impacting the tourism sector. The association has expressed concerns about the rationale behind these proposed increases and questioned their potential benefits for local communities.

Specifically, the hotel association is addressing the planned increase to the climate resilience fee and a potential rise in the municipal levy, known in Greek as “τέλος διαμονής παρεπιδημούντων”, which hotels pay to local municipalities.

The association joins other sectoral groups in urging the Greek government to review these proposals and provide assurances regarding their intended use and their impact on Greece’s tourism industry and international competitiveness.

In an announcement, the association notes that while hoteliers would support these fees if the revenue were directed towards local community infrastructure and improvements that benefit both residents and tourists, there is concern that these “continuously increasing tax burdens” may merely serve to boost public revenues from tourism.

The hoteliers of Athens, Attica and the Argosaronic specifically ask what proportion of these taxes will actually be reinvested into the tourism destinations to support necessary public works and infrastructure improvements related to climate change.

Photo source: Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association

According to the association, the future of tourism remains uncertain due to significant international geopolitical, environmental, and economic changes. Consequently, it is calling for a comprehensive long-term tourism strategy and planning focused on sustainability and quality, rather than merely on quantities and numbers.

The hotel association also notes that a visitor staying in a 4-star hotel in Greece’s capital for five days could face an additional cost of at least 50 euros due to “climate change” charges, with no clear explanation provided.

Furthermore, the hoteliers express concern that frequent visitors to Greece may be frustrated by having to pay these “climate change” fees with each visit, especially when the promised infrastructure improvements are intended for Greece, not their home countries.

They also highlight that many visitors to Athens stay in lower-star hotels and may be traveling for essential reasons, such as students or athletes, who will also face these additional charges.

In conclusion, the association urges the government to reconsider these levies and emphasizes that any new or additional taxes on the hotel industry or visitors should be utilized in a meaningful and transparent manner.