According to data released by GBR Consulting, hotels in Greece’s two largest cities showed strong signs of recovery, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, in terms of RevPAR, which exceeded 160 euros in the two-month June-July period, and the average overnight price.
Athens
More specifically, the hotel sector of Athens during January-June recorded an RevPAR increase of 45 percent compared to 2022 and 23 percent compared to 2019. Occupancy levels declined slightly compared to 2019, while room rates surged both in 2022 and 2023.
Thessaloniki
Similar trends were noted in Thessaloniki with an RevPAR increase of 38.9 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022 and an 18.7 percent rise compared to the corresponding period of 2019. RevPAR of the hotels of the northern Greek city reached its peak in May, when it exceeded 70 euros.
With regard to resorts, GBR Consulting noted that such establishments started the 2023 season later than 2019 as rooms available during March were considerably lower. In April more hotel rooms were available than 2022 and 2019 and as from May the tourism season really kicked off.
Occupancy levels in the first half of the year registered a marginal decrease of 0.8 percent compared to 2022 and of 1.6 percent compared to 2019. Total revenue per occupied room increased by 10.1 percent compared to 2022 and by 46.9 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2019.
On a nationwide level, however, in June, hotels registered 75.3 percent occupancy, with the average room price at 120 euros.
Rhodes
Photo source: Visitgreece.gr
The report of GBR Consulting included a reference to the hotel performance of Rhodes before the island was hit by devastating wildfires in July.
According to the data, Rhodes was initially one Greece’s “outperformers” with the opening of fully renovated and rebranded units during the first six months of 2023. Compared to 2019, international airport arrivals increased by 17.8 percent during January-June, which is reflected in improved occupancy levels and significant improvements of total revenue per occupied room.
However, as of July 18 and for over a week the island was hit by wildfires disrupting the island’s positive performance.
Photo source: EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid.
According to a study by GBR Consulting, 84 percent of the hotels on Rhodes and 81 percent of available rooms were not affected by the fires.
As the island has returned to normality, initiatives have launched to attract foreign tourists back to the island. Indicatively, the South Aegean Region launched a new promotional campaign “Rhodes. What you love is here”. Moreover, tourists who saw their holidays on Rhodes cut short due to the fires will be able to apply for free weeklong holidays on the island in spring and autumn 2024 through the “Rhodes Pass” platform expected to launch at the end of August.
