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Athens Tourism Boom: Record Numbers, Infrastructure Concerns
Athens enjoys record tourism in 2024, but concerns arise over infrastructure's capacity to handle the surge.
Greek
Greece
LifestyleGreeceTourismInfrastructureGrowthConcerns
Gbr ConsultingAthens Hotels Association (Eξααα)Περιφέρεια ΑττικήςΔήμος Της Αθήνας
- What is the current state of tourism in Athens in 2024?
- Athens is experiencing its best year ever for tourism in 2024, with high demand despite rising hotel and short-term rental prices. Hotel occupancy remains high, and most short-term rentals are booked.
- What are the current average hotel room prices in Athens?
- The average room price in Athens hotels is nearing 200 euros, following a temporary drop in August. September saw an 8.1% increase in the average daily rate (ADR) compared to the previous year.
- What concerns are being raised regarding the significant increase in tourism in Athens?
- The increased demand and revenue are accompanied by concerns about whether Athens' infrastructure (water, sewage, roads) is sufficient to handle the large number of visitors. There are worries that the current infrastructure may be insufficient and that more focus needs to be put on quality rather than quantity of tourists.
- How has passenger traffic at Athens Airport changed in September 2024 compared to last year?
- Passenger traffic at Athens Airport in September 2024 reached 3.3 million, a 9.7% increase year-on-year. International passenger traffic was up by 12.3%, showing strong growth in tourism.
- What recommendations are being made by the Athens Hotels Association to address the challenges of the tourism boom?
- The Athens Hotels Association (EΞΑΑΑ) expresses concern about the adequacy of infrastructure to support the surge in tourism, suggesting that studies on the destination's carrying capacity should prioritize existing infrastructure and its continuous improvement. They emphasize the importance of attracting high-quality tourism rather than simply focusing on numbers.