Drop in Overnights Expected in Greece this Year, Says Hoteliers Federation

Photo source: Hellenic Hoteliers Federation

Overnight stays in Greek hotels this season are expected to drop by five percent, according to the president of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (known as “POX” in Greek), Grigoris Tasios.

Speaking to the Athens News Agency – Macedonian Press Agency (ANA-MPA) radio station Praktoreio and citing data on bookings for Easter and the May 1 holiday, Tasios said that the expected drop in overnights is not the sector’s main problem.

Hellenic Hoteliers Federation President Grigoris Tasios.

“The problems that steadily remain include overtaxation, (lack of) infrastructure and how the country will face competition,” he said.

During his interview, Tasios once again mentioned that a factor that is negatively affecting the hotel sector is short-term rental accommodation and he called for the law regarding such activity to be followed due to unfair competition for hotels.

“What bothers us is not the fact that customers choose to stay in homes and not in hotels… This is an international trend that is counting over 10 years. However, short-term rentals must follow a framework and face the same burdens as we do,” Tasios stressed.

Moreover, the federation’s president mentioned that Turkey’s comeback as a popular tourism destination is expected to cause a slowdown to tourist traffic to Greece this year.