This year, occupancy was recorded in June and July, almost identical to those in 2019, but prices are much higher. In particular, the population in hotels Athens formed in June at 90.6% compared to 92.8% in the corresponding period of 2019 and in July at 89.3% compared to 89.8%. However, the average room rate this year in June was 147.64 euros, which is 17.5% higher than in June 2019. And in July, the average price of a room in Athens was 144.49 euros, i.е. 19.4% higher than in the corresponding month of 2019.

But even for all seven months, the average price of rooms (117.68 euros) increased by 11.3% compared to seven months in 2019. However, this does not apply to the occupancy of seven months, as they are 17.8% lower than in the corresponding period of 2019. This fact, of course, is explained by the fact that at the beginning of the year this year there were still restrictions on travel and tourism in general due to the pandemic. This data has been made public Athens – Attica and Argosaron Hotel Association and processed by GBR Consulting.

Hotel prices in July were 19.4% higher than in 2019.

Compared to competing destination cities in Europe, Athens is fifth in the relative occupancy ranking after Barcelona, ​​London, Paris and Istanbul. It remains price-competitive, with average room rates ranking ninth in the top ten most important destinations. It is noted that the highest average room rate in Paris – 285.3 euros, followed by London – 203.2 euros. Even in Istanbul, the average price is 120.6 euros compared to 117.6 euros in Athens.

It should be noted here that Athens seems to have recorded a much larger increase in short-term rentals, which now competes directly with hotels. Specifically, according to an AirDNA survey announced yesterday by Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Airbnb rental demand based on bookings made during July, August and September recorded a 26.5% increase year-over-year. 2019.

The Athens Hotel Association – Attica and Argosaronia stressed in a statement that it expects results and performances for August, as well as September and October, “to have an even clearer and more global picture.” He points out, however, that Athens, although an urban destination for twelve months, currently shows very strong evidence of tourist seasonality, not exceeding 6-7 months of high efficiency, while having to deal with problems not only at the level of Europe and international competition, but also because of the oversupply of beds due to the unfair competition of short-term rentals and beds in the guest house, as he usually mentions. The reason is the short-term rental of the complexes, which essentially operate as hotels, however, avoiding the obligations that this entails. At the same time, the Athens Hoteliers Association expresses concern about the upcoming energy-intensive winter.