Hotels & Accommodations

Those interested in renting out their properties, homes or flats in Greece on Airbnb must meet requirements as set out by the economy, finance and tourism ministries.

The Thessaloniki Hotels Association predicts an increase in last minute bookings to Greece this season but expresses concern regarding the impact of the refugee crisis on the destination.

“Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations” recently signed an agreement with the Greek “We do local” certificate, committing to closer partnership. The two certification schemes recognize the achievements of tourism businesses committed to working in a sustainable way by supporting local suppliers, communities and culture.

Greek hotel owners seem to be unable to pay back the loans they’ve taken out, according to Bank of Greece (BoG) deputy governor Theodore Mitrakos. Out of a total of 7.6 billion euros in loans granted to tourist accommodations, approximately half (49.8 percent) have been recorded as non-performing (NPL).

The Greek hospitality investment market seems to be in hibernation with at least 225 hotels currently on offer but no signs of interest from potential buyers, a PwC report found.

Hoteliers associations across Greece, including on the islands and at border regions, are ringing alarm bells, calling on the government to take immediate measures as bookings to these destinations have dropped by as much as 90 percent in some cases due to the ever-growing refugee influx.

Urging a united front on all issues involving the sector, the head of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) George Tsakiris made it clear that “tourism is an affair that affects us all” during the chamber’s 5th general assembly held recently at Athens’ Metropolitan Expo center.

The popular Halkidiki peninsula in Northern Greece has grown into a hot luxury destination with more than 25 new hotel units constructed in the last 15 years, according to a study released by the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP).

The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) has teamed up with the Chefs Club of Greece to include the country’s food and beverages (F&B) sector in Green Key initiatives.

A number of city hotels are set to open their doors in the center of Athens this year, giving visitors to the Greek capital an even wider choice of exclusive accommodation.