Athens-Attica Hoteliers Highlight Urgent Need for Infrastructure Upgrades

The Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association recently raised concerns about whether the infrastructure and services in the Greek capital sufficiently meet the needs of both residents and visitors.

In their announcement regarding members’ performance in terms of occupancy and revenue for September and the first nine months of 2024, the association stressed the urgent need for new, expanded, and well-maintained infrastructure to support growth.

In reflecting on the overall tourist traffic in Athens, the association noted that “air arrival records — many of which have surpassed investment forecasts from the previous decade for the visitation of Athens-Attica during years like 2023 and 2024 and sparked conversations about overtourism — are a source of concern for us”.

The association also raised concerns about whether current infrastructure plans sufficiently address the growing demands of an increasing population and the rising number of visitors, particularly in critical areas such as water supply, sewage systems, and road networks.

Moreover, the association stressed that decisions regarding both general and specialized infrastructure should prioritize attracting quality tourism over sheer volume.

Need for ‘shielding’ Athens

The association further emphasized that the recent “carrying capacity” studies initiated by both the Region of Attica and the Municipality of Athens underscore the importance of evaluating existing infrastructure and the necessity for ongoing enhancement and adaptation.

“We believe it is imperative to shield Athens as soon as possible. It is evident that especially urban destinations and their residents face significant challenges worldwide, subjected to recurring pressures from climate change, extreme weather events, earthquakes, water scarcity, overpopulation, outdated infrastructure, and inadequacies or lack of essential services,” said the association .

Occupancy rates and ADR

Regarding hotel occupancy rates for September in Athens and the wider Attica region, the association reported a 1.2 percent decline compared to September 2023, marking the fifth consecutive month of decreases in 2024. However, for the first nine months of 2024, there was a recorded 1.5 percent increase in hotel occupancy compared to the same period last year.

Additionally, data showed that the Average Daily Rate (ADR) for September 2024 saw an 8.1 percent increase compared to September 2023, reflecting positive revenue trends for hotels in Athens and Attica.