Hotels & Accommodations

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.

Speakers at the last month’s general assembly of the Panhellenic Hoteliers’ Federation told hoteliers that the worse is yet to come for small and mid-size hotels. “Only the big hotel units that offer a brand-name product and our unique small city hotels will survive within the tourism business market in the coming years,” said federation member Andreas Andreadis.

Representatives from the 22 room and apartment rental associations throughout Greece arrived in Athens last month to attend the annual general assembly of the Business Federation of Rented Rooms and Apartments of Greece.

At a press call last month, executives from the Mont Parnes Casino complex outlined the many changes that have taken place and that are underway at the complex. Owners intend to invest more than 110 million euros in renewal projects.