Greek Tourism Confederation

Greece's hoteliers asked the prime minister on Thursday whether the new tax on overnight stays at accommodation units, due to be imposed from January 2018, could apply only during July and August, if indeed it has to be imposed at all.

The overtaxation of tourism and the absence of clear zoning in the sector are deterring investors from entering the field in Greece, in spite of the interest recorded in new business plans by domestic and foreign groups, according to the president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Yiannis Retsos.

Greece's biggest challenge in tourism this year will be how to best manage an expected record number of arrivals, as the country already receives a tourism inflow that is almost three times its population every year, according to the new head of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Yiannis Retsos.

Tourism makes a big contribution toward employment in Greece and this has kept rising over the last 30 years, according to a study by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE). It also extends across the country's regions, including lesser visited areas.

All the signs indicate that Greek tourism is expecting a very successful summer season. Greek hotel owners and industry professionals are confident the current season will be extended based on messages by foreign tour operators and are already setting their eyes on the next season.

Dozens of tourism investments are under threat due to the lack of zoning plans, while overtaxation is putting the future course of the sector at risk according to data and estimates presented during Thursday's annual general meeting of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of New Democracy opposition, has vowed to take steps to make Greece the world's "strongest tourism brand" if he becomes prime minister.

This year's annual general meeting of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) holds special significance both for the industry and politically, taking place at what is a key juncture for tourism in Greece.

Airline seat occupancy on flights to Greece posted a 0.9 percentage point increase last year according to data processed by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

Planes into Greece were 80 percent full in 2016 against 79.1 percent in 2015, while the number of seats available came to 23 million against 21.65 million in 2015.

Greek tourism is projected to record an all-time high in terms of arrivals this year. However, no one is yet able to predict whether that positive development will also be reflected in tourism revenues or if the phenomenon observed last year will be repeated, with a rise in visitors but a drop in takings.