Poor Bookings Hit Athens Hoteliers

Hoteliers in Athens have been preparing for a large influx of visitors, including athletes, officials and spectators, for the 2004 Olympic Games, are facing fewer-than-expected arrivals, with 20 per cent of rooms still unreserved.

Three-fold increases in Athens hotel rates are planned during the Games. However, some people reportedly have cancelled planned trips to the Greek capital due to various concerns, including delays in the preparations for the quadrennial sports event and fear of possible terrorist attacks.

A number of hotels in Athens are currently being renovated for the Games. Niki Hotel, which is located in the center of the city, is one such hotel. The 23-room hotel is racing against time to complete the interior work for its reception desk.

According to a hotel clerk, all of its rooms are set to be occupied by Russian spectators for about three weeks from August 10. The hotel made a profitable deal with its Russian guests, charging them 300 euro (about 40,000 yen) per night, the clerk said, adding that its regular rate was 90 euro.

On the other hand, it is rumoured that many hotels have received fewer reservations than expected.

According to a 44-year-old division director of a travel agency, about 20 per cent of rooms mainly at economy-class hotels in Athens and its neighbouring areas – about 6,000 beds – remain unreserved. Some hotels that had jumped on the price-increase bandwagon reportedly have started lowering their room charges.

An assistant manager of a luxury hotel in a downtown area expressed disappointment over a decline in the number of tourists – more than 30 per cent less than normal – as he had expected July to be a busy period. The assistant manager said the decline was due to delays in construction work for Games facilities.

A 40-year-old broker said concerns over terrorism have cast a shadow over the Olympics since the start of the Iraq war.