UK tourists could face unwelcome changes in Greece, similar to those recently introduced in Spain. Greek lawmakers are currently discussing stringent new regulations for holiday rentals, in an attempt to curb overtourism following protests from local inhabitants.
The proposed alterations would see renovated warehouses, subterranean spaces and former industrial buildings removed from rental platforms such as Airbnb. “Basements will no longer be permitted for use. Rental spaces must serve as primary residential areas, with natural light, ventilation and air conditioning,” stated Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni on state-run television prior to the debate.
“We are introducing minimum operational and safety standards because this is a tourism product,” she added. “Our aim is the long-term, sustainable, and high-quality development of Greek tourism, not just breaking records every year.”
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Left-wing lawmaker Kalliopi Vetta criticised the legislation in parliament, stating: “You are allowing the concentration of short-term rentals in areas popular with tourists. This is drastically transforming neighbourhoods and displacing permanent residents.”
She also claimed that “The expansion of tourism is going unchecked,” The draft law coincides with a one-year ban in Athens on new short-term rental registrations in popular districts like Kolonaki, Koukaki and Exarchia, with violations punishable by a fine of €20,000, reports Birmingham Live.
She remarked: “This focus on profit alone is happening at the expense of the environment and society.”
Greece’s tourism sector is set to hit record levels with expected revenues of €22 billion and 35 million visitors in 2024, official figures indicate. In 2023, the availability of rooms in holiday rentals matched that of hotels across the nation, but this figure was nearly doubled in central Athens, according to research from a national hotel association.
Aside from Athens and other mainland destinations, British tourists continue to flock to Greek islands for their getaways. Favourite spots include Kos, Lesbos, Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes, not to mention the ever-popular Mykonos and Santorini.
