The Association of Hoteliers of Athens – Attica and Argosaronic for the performance of the accommodations in the basin
2024 “closed” on a positive note for Athens hotels, with an average occupancy of 78% (an increase of 2.3% compared to 2023), with an average room rate (ADR) of 149.26 euros (an increase of 8.9% compared to 2023) and with a revenue per available room (Rev Par) of 116.48 euros (11.4% increase compared to 2023).
As pointed out in a relevant announcement of the Athens – Attica and Argosaronic Hotel Association, the last two months (November – December) for hotels in Athens compared to the corresponding months of 2023 gave an average occupancy of 73.8% in November (Marathon month ) and 61.5% in December, an increase in the average room rate (ADR) by 7.9% and 14.6% respectively and an increase in revenue per available room (Rev Par) by 13.7% in November and by 24.7% in December.
In relation to the performance of the cities – competitors of Athens, at the level of the year, the hotels of Athens had quite a good performance and performance: The average occupancy in the cities of the European Benchmark ranged between 69.2% (s.s. refers to Istanbul, in which a decrease compared to 2023 was recorded by 7.3%) and 81% (London). However, occupancy in Madrid (+13.7%), Rome (+10.5%) and Barcelona (+9.7%) also increased. In terms of average room rate (ADR), comparing the average price of Athens in the 12 months of 2024 against the corresponding period of 2023, we observe an increase for Athens by 8.9%, for Madrid by 14%, for Barcelona by 7, 7%, for Rome by 2%, while Istanbul fell by 6%. Accordingly, in the revenue per available room (Rev Par) in the 12 months there was an increase of 11.4% in Athens, an increase of 19% for Madrid, by 7% for Barcelona, by 3.1% for Rome while in Istanbul it moved at similar levels (+0.4%).
Of particular interest are the fluctuations recorded in the average hotel occupancy (from 52.9% to 92.6%) throughout 2024. In particular, an improvement is observed in the lean months, from 1.5% (March) to 14 .2% (February), which indicates the dynamics of the city throughout the year and verifies its slow but steady evolution in a “city break” destination – a decades-long goal for Athens. On the contrary, a negative sign appeared during the traditional peak months (May – June) as well as during the summer months until September 2024, ranging from (-)1.2% to (-2.7%) compared to 2023 something which is attributed to the stay of the guests during this period in other accommodation – outside the hotel, such as e.g. in short-term rental tourist accommodation and in rented rooms / apartments.
At this point, on the occasion of the publication of the law 5170/2025, EXAAA emphasizes that the relevant bill of the Ministry of Tourism (“Establishment of specifications for short-term rental properties, environmental classification of accommodation, simplification of the process of establishing tourist businesses and special provisions for controlling and strengthening the framework of tourist infrastructure ») which was recently voted in the Plenary of the Parliament, does include several provisions aimed at offering better quality hospitality, especially in short-term rental properties – as certain basic specifications are established, functional as well as for the safety of visitors-tenants (e.g. civil liability).
Although the entry into force of the proposed short-term rental properties from 1 October 2025 allows such properties to operate ‘as is’ for one more season, the foundations are certainly being laid for them to comply with a series of minimum standards, as well as enforcement checks of these specifications by the state. At the same time, we cannot fail to welcome -among additional regulations- the “system for ranking hotels based on their environmental performance” (including optional non-main tourist accommodation), which is an innovative synergy between the Hotel and Technical Chamber Greece. We are optimistic that through these, as well as other provisions contained in the Law, a good new – and “sustainable” – principle is launched for the tourist infrastructure in Athens, worthy of its historical-cultural identity, its tourist dynamics, but also its popularity her.
On the other hand, we must point out that stricter measures are required – and we will insist on claiming – for short-term leasing, which has grown asymmetrically and uncontrollably in recent years in Attica, reaching 137,499 beds (source: XEE/ ITEP research “”Hotel Dynamics” and Short Term Accommodations Lease – September 2024″) fully understanding the necessity of these measures, for our city and its residents. The limitation of the days of tourist exploitation of the properties of this type, the reduction in their number per municipal apartment and per VAT ID that is active in short-term leasing, as well as a series of additional regulations are considered necessary, as they are based on studies and data that highlight the magnitude of the issue ” points out EXAAA in its announcement.
