Airbnbs in Greece Almost Fully Booked for Holy Spirit Weekend
Airbnb-style rentals across Greece are almost fully booked ahead of the three-day Holy Spirit weekend between June 2-5.
Winning destinations include most of the Cyclades islands such as Tinos, Syros, Mykonos and Santorini as well as those close to Athens such as Hydra, Spetses, and Aegina.
According to the Panhellenic Network of E-Real Estates, pre-booking data for all of Greece, occupancy levels for family-sized flats are near 94 percent on the islands.
More specifically, pre-booking levels for most of the country range between 75 percent and 94 percent and for the islands between 77 percent and 93 percent.
The Peloponnese currently accounts for 74 percent of all pre-bookings, 91 percent on the Cyclades, the Ionian islands (92 percent), and Halkidiki (86 percent).
Market experts expect most of the mainland and island destinations to reach full capacity by the weekend.
High in demand are family-sized apartments or homes. At the same time, flexible cancelation policies have given short-term holiday rentals a boost.
Indicative of the demand, reservations for Hydra and Spetses are at 97 percent and 90 percent, with three nights coming to 640 euros and 606 euros, respectively. Reservations on Aegina are at 91 percent, costing 291- 440 euros for a three-night stay.
On Mykonos, most short-term rentals are booked reaching 90 percent with homes going anywhere from 447 euros to 1,048 euros for three nights. While on Santorini, bookings are at 94 percent with three nights going for 373 to 826 euros.
In mainland Greece, a three-night stay in Kalamata costs about 189-388 euros with bookings at 87 percent while in Nafplio, reservations are at 83 percent for rooms or homes costing 314 to 467 euros for three nights.
Demand for short-term rentals was also high during the Easter holiday last month giving providers a much-needed boost ahead of the summer season.