A large number of Israeli tourists remain “trapped” in Athens, unable to return to their country due to the escalation of the crisis in the Middle East. This situation has turned, albeit temporarily, into an unexpected support for the capital’s hotels, which are recording good occupancy rates thanks to this specific market.
A hotelier – a member of the Athens, Attica, and Argosaronic Hotel Association – tells Tornos News that several Israelis are being accommodated for a longer period of time than expected in Athenian hotels, as there are no return flights available, while security conditions do not allow direct travel to Israel.
This development reminds us of the important role that the Israeli market has played over time in the capital’s tourism. According to data from the Athens Hoteliers Association, at certain times of the year, up to 80% of occupancy in central hotels can be attributed to visitors from Israel – a group that traditionally chooses Athens for both city breaks and stopovers on longer routes.
In any case, the data published each month by the Athens, Attica, and Argosaronic Hoteliers Association will show the above development. Although in the short term, the stay of Israelis boosts hotel activity, the broader scenario remains extremely fluid. The “waters are still uncharted” regarding the overall impact that the crisis in the Middle East may have on inbound tourism to Greece this summer. Industry players are taking a wait-and-see approach, emphasizing that geopolitical events directly affect the flow of bookings, especially from neighboring or related markets.
Athens, however, continues to function as a safe haven and a destination of stability – characteristics that, it seems, emerge even in the most unpredictable circumstances.
