Airbnb

All online platforms, Greek and foreign, selling goods and services, must send transaction data involving Greek individuals and companies to the Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE), a draft bill provision states.

Antalya Governor Ersin Yazıcı has declared that unregistered rentals to foreign tourists will be subject to inspection, following the decision from the Culture and Tourism Ministry regarding the imposition of taxes on short-term rental services in the tourism industry.

Inhabitants of Belgium's cobblestone-and-canal city of Bruges are clear: Summertime tourism has hit capacity.

"It's really reached a red line now," says one, 55-year-old architect Arnout Goegebuer, as he sits inside a cafe, peering out a window across a packed outside terrace.

"We don't need more tourists anymore, it's enough - maybe a little bit less" is needed, he says.

Fifteen years on from its founding, rental platform Airbnb is making record profits while authorities across the world are coming up with a variety of regulations to keep it from further disrupting the housing market and property owners using the platform are trying to skirt those rules.

Estimates for third-quarter profits range from $3.3-3.4 billion.

The soaring demand for short-term rentals is gravely affecting the performance of hotels, which has necessitated the need for new regulations and taxes on short-term rentals recently proposed by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, a tourism sector representative has said.

The supply of data to tax authorities from digital platforms on the sale of goods and services has already been implemented in Greece in recent years.

The increase in Greek travelers' interest in short-term rental accommodation through the Airbnb platform appears to be steep.

Searches by Greek users for accommodation this summer have recorded a rise of more than 70% compared to last year.

A significant increase in the supply of short-term rental accommodation was recorded ahead of the peak summer tourist season, which already bodes well for 2023.

According to data presented by AirDNA, based on bookings made through the Airbnb and VRBO platforms up to early June, demand growth for the May-October period is forecast to exceed 42%.

The sustainability of tourism on the Greek islands is being questioned as the number of tourist beds is as much as three or four times greater than the number of permanent residents.

Pressure is mounting on short-term rental hosts, as the tax administration and the big three platforms (Airbnb Ireland UC, Booking.com BV, and VRBO Expedia Group Vacation Rentals Ireland Limited) near the conclusion of a new protocol cooperation that will lead to identifying those who avoid declaring the incomes they receive.