Yiannis Retsos

The perception of Greece as a tourism destination is deteriorating in the British, German and American markets as a result of the refugee and migration crisis, an Internet survey has found.

The survey was conducted by independent British firm Censuwide for the Association of Hellenic Tourism Enterprises (SETE).

By Stathis Kousounis

Undeclared but legal earnings amounting to at least 120 million euros will this year be added to the incomes of workers in tourism professions in the form of tips that visitors to this country are expected to leave during their vacations in Greece.

 Increase of tax on accommodation could wipe 3.8 bln euros off the country’s GDP and cause job losses

Tourism professionals vehemently oppose the government’s intention to raise the value-added tax on accommodation from the current 6.5 percent to 13 percent.

By Stathis Kousounis

The first signs for the next tourism season in Greece are particularly positive, given the bookings to date from certain major markets, statements by tour operator officials and airlines’ schedules, a Hellenic Hoteliers Federation conference heard over the weekend in Thessaloniki.