During the General Assembly of the Union of Hoteliers of Athens, Attica, and the Saronic Gulf (EÎÁÁÁ), the president of the Hellenic Red Cross, Dr. Antonios Avgerinos, praised the social contribution of the Union and presented an honorary distinction to Eugenios Vasilikos (pictured with Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Elena Rapti).
Athens is at one of the most decisive crossroads in its modern trajectory as a tourism destination. The city has upgraded its status, gained international recognition, and shows steady demand. However, as Vasilikos warned from the Unions podium, Athens risks losing ground unless immediate measures are taken to safeguard its sustainability.
He emphasized the delicate balance the city faces. While Athens has become a recognized destination and captured the international market, it simultaneously faces growing challenges that affect not only hotels but also residents and the overall functioning of the destination. According to Vasilikos, without coordinated investment in infrastructure, Athens could easily regress to previous conditions.
Drawing a parallel with Barcelona, a city that has long restricted the development of new hotels, Vasilikos argued that Athens must follow the opposite path: new accommodations and projects are necessary, but they must be guided by careful planning and a clear zoning framework defining where, how, and under what criteria tourism development proceeds. Implementation of this framework cannot be delayed.
Based on INSETE studies, he highlighted that the hotel sector remains overtaxed compared to other economic sectors. Despite these pressures, Athens hoteliers have invested over one billion euros in renovations and upgrades, demonstrating their long-term commitment to the destination.
Vasilikos also underscored the institutional and social role of the Union, noting that support for memberssuch as the recent intervention regarding municipal fees in the Voula-Vari-Vouliagmeni areais a continuous strategy, not an exception.
Dora Paisiou, General Secretary of the Union, stressed that it is inconceivable to aim for further doubling or tripling of tourist numbers without the necessary infrastructure, including roads, parking, and utilities. Athens has transformed over the past decades into a city-region, making strategic planning extremely complex as diverse and competing interests converge within its limits. This raises the critical question: what type of tourism do we wantmass or quality?
The General Assembly took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Athens Capital Hotel MGallery Collection, attended by Giorgos Vernikos, Secretary General of SETE and President of INSETE, Alexandros Thanos, Executive Advisor of SETE, presidents of sectoral associations and professional bodies of Athens, media representatives, hoteliers, and numerous distinguished guests. The opening was addressed by Deputy Minister Elena Rapti, who congratulated the Union for its social contribution, highlighting its collaboration since May 2024 with the SOS 15900 hotline, providing accommodation for women victims of domestic violence and their children.
