The Greek government has announced a one-year ban on the issuance of new short-term rental licenses in three central areas of Athens, which will take effect from 1 January 2025.

The decision aims to address the shortage housing, which has been exacerbated by the rise of vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb. Greece, like other popular tourist destinations in Europe, faces the challenge of balancing a booming tourism industry with the housing needs of its residents.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloianni said the ban could be extended and after an initial one-year period, citing pressure on the local housing market as a key factor. "Short-term rentals operate almost like hotels, putting a lot of pressure on society," she explained.

In addition to the ban, Greece will increase the daily tax on short-term rentals from 1.5 euros to 8 euros at peak tourist season from April to October and from 0.5 euros to 2 euros in the winter months.

These tax revenues will help finance initiatives to address climate change-related disasters.

Greece expects record tourism revenues of €22 billion in 2024, surpassing last year's €20.6 billion.

While the country's pristine beaches and cultural sites continue to attract millions of visitors, the influx has led to concerns about overtourism.

To address the problem, the government has introduced a €20 fee for cruise ship visitors to the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos during peak summer months months. These measures are aimed at controlling the number of visitors while reducing the load on local infrastructure.

Source: travelnews.co.za

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