According to data recently released by the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association, hotel occupancy rates in the first seven months of the year plunged by 49.2% due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite fewer operating hotels in Attica (down by 35-40%) compared to 2019, the restart of international flights, and the country's overall management of the virus, June and July- key tourism season months for Greece- were “disappointing” for hotels in Athens.
More specifically, average occupancy rates did not exceed 25.7% in June and 36.5% in July 2020.
According to the study, Athens, London, Madrid and Istanbul were the only cities which recorded a relatively “modest” decline in occupancy levels this year by more than 50%.
In the same announcement, the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association points out that "Athens as a European capital of millions of inhabitants, as the most important international 'gateway' of our country, as a recipient of the largest volume of arrivals, always deserves, but especially 'now' special attention: The issues of health, safety and protection of citizens and tourists, but also the issues of supporting the economy of our city."
The hotel association underlines the importance of formulating a "crisis management strategy in time to prepare for a 'worst-case scenario' and to work towards safeguarding tourism enterprises and jobs."
