Hospitality News

It would seem that professionally managed Greek tourism offices are in demand within the international marketplace. The latest evidence is the Meridian buyout bid by Hotelbeds, a part of the First Choice Holidays PLC Group (UK).

Hoteliers last month called for a more discriminating application of the investment incentives law for the construction of four- and five-star hotels, and went as far as to demand restrictions in the approval of subsidized projects.

With a revenue increase of some 42% in 2004 over the previous year, and with a major increase in guests from North America and Western Europe during 2005, the Ledra Marriott in Athens expects final results for 2005 to be more than acceptable.

Although among the world’s best, Greece’s hotels are not aware of the benefits of brand names, according to a recent study. The 2005 Greek Hotel Branding Report, which is the first of its kind for the Greek tourism market, explores the extent of branding among Greek hotels and presents all hotel brands that have built a presence in the country’s hospitality industry.

An international racket that is duping hoteliers through e-mail booking messages. Forged documents and credit cards have hit Greek shores.

Three major long-term leasing projects are in the works by the Tourism Development Company (ETA), for the public properties that include the Corfu casino, the plots housing a golf course at Afandou on Rodos, and another at Epanomi, near Thessaloniki, for the creation of a new course.

Tourism Development Deputy Minister Anastassios Liaskos has announced investment incentives for the tourism sector, which he said would relieve the country’s hoteliers of considerable red tape.

Arrivals in Athens may have increased in the first quarter of 2005, according to Athens International Airport data, but the Attica Hoteliers’ Association released data last month that show hotel occupancy rates down by an average 4.4 percent against the same quarter of last year.

After an investment of some 30 million euros, the new five-star Lindon Village Resort officially opened its doors to the traveling public last month amid a plethora of celebrations. The “third generation” hotel resort is spread over 60 stremma of prime garden property.

After major interior renovations, Louis Hotels last month opened its newest hotel acquisition, the Louis Colossos Beach on Rodos. This year, the hotel group plans to continue recent renewal efforts with a general redecoration of the hotel’s grounds and its 114 studios.