Mountain resorts in high demand for festive season

• 6 December, 25

The first few gusts of cold wind in Athens and the first snow flakes in northern Greece have brought an increase in inquiries and bookings at hotels in mountainous and semi-mountainous destinations ahead of the upcoming festive season. A considerable share of rooms have already been booked and availability in many destinations appears limited.

The current estimate in the market points to an average occupancy of 70-75% for the three long weekends of the holidays – i.e. Christmas, New Year’s and Epiphany. However it will much higher if there is any snowfall before or during that period, as long as it causes no access problems. Especially in destinations such as the ski centers of Parnassos, Seli, Vasilitsa and Kaimaktsalan, any snowfall will be crucial for occupancy rates.

As the secretary-general of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation, Angelos Kallias, tells Kathimerini, the dates of the holidays are particularly convenient this year, allowing for four-day trips, so even if the number of Greeks visiting mountainous and semi-mountainous destinations is the same this year as last year, they will spend more nights, helping occupancy rise.

Epirus and Parnassos have more bookings and smaller availability than other destinations, while any areas with holiday theme parks and event schedules are also in high demand. The broader region of Mount Pilio, in Thessaly, seems to have fully recovered after two difficult winters due to Storm Daniel.

Grigoris Tasios, the newly elected vice president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, explains to Kathimerini that demand this year may well prove stronger than the last festive season, while regarding prices there is little change from last year as hoteliers are aware they can ill-afford to test the flexibility of Greeks’ demand by raising rates. “There is much greater demand because people appear determined to get out,” he says.

The bulk of trips will be made by road, although airline data also show a rise in domestic flight demand. Athens and Thessaloniki are also bracing for more arrivals from abroad, with 9.8% more seats available for the capital and 9.2% more for Thessaloniki.

Cre: Ekathimerini