Rising demand in short-term rentals ahead of the holidays – Th. Bakas: “At its peak from mid-November to late January”

The holiday season is already showing positive signs for the short-term rental market, as winter destinations record increased interest from travelers seeking entire apartments and houses. Themos Bakas, President of the nationwide E-Real Estates Network, tells Tornos News that “the ‘full’ period for property owners registered on short-term rental platforms mainly concerns Christmas and New Year’s, Epiphany, as well as the various long weekends that appear particularly from mid-November through the end of January.”

This year reveals an even more notable trend: Christmas getaway planning began earlier. As Mr. Bakas explains, “a significant number of our fellow citizens proceeded with early planning for the Christmas holidays,” allowing for longer stays, from four to five nights. A typical example includes arrivals from Wednesday, December 23, with departures up to Sunday, December 28, while many visitors are expected to stay until New Year’s Eve.

In Athens, recent data confirm strong activity. Active listings of entire apartments on short-term rental platforms have reached 13,293—up from 12,328 in September and 10,920 at the beginning of the year. In the city’s top areas, properties listed through such platforms amount to 9,596, marking a 54.23% increase compared to February 2023. The commercial triangle remains at the forefront with 2,773 listings, followed by Koukaki–Makrygianni with 1,324, confirming visitors’ sustained preference for “home away from home” stays.

The holiday-season demand fits into this broader picture. Mr. Bakas highlights that “demand for entire apartments or houses during Christmas and New Year’s appears particularly strong and shows an impressive rise,” reflecting yet another trend in favor of this type of accommodation.

Meanwhile, public revenue linked to the sharing economy continues its steady upward course. In 2024 it reached 860 million euros, while the sector’s total turnover is estimated to surpass 3 billion euros once again—a significantly higher performance compared to previous years.

As the peak of the winter season approaches, the rising demand shows that travelers are seeking flexible and comfortable options, with the data shaping expectations for a highly active holiday period for tourism.