Thessaloniki has approximately 4,600 short-term rental accommodations, with an exceptionally high compliance rate, as about 98% are licensed. This is the finding regarding the state of short-term rentals in the co-capital, highlighted by this year’s survey “Tourist Profile & Satisfaction – Performance of Thessaloniki Hotels,” conducted by gbr consulting on behalf of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association.
As noted, despite the fact that 33% own only one property, the market is dominated by professionals who manage them, as 44% of the accommodations belong to managers who operate more than five properties.
During the presentation of the survey, the Vice President of the THA, Mr. Konstantinos Tornivoukas, announced that the Association has requested the State to implement measures prohibiting the issuance of new operating licenses for short-term rental accommodations in the historical center of Thessaloniki. In this area, he said, the most asymmetrical development of short-term rentals is observed. For this reason, the THA is requesting measures to prohibit new licenses, so that a reasonable restriction can be placed on the creation of new short-term rentals in the central apartments of Thessaloniki where a very serious saturation is observed, based on data.
“We are asking the State for the obvious, equal treatment of Thessaloniki in relation to Athens, since a relevant decision has already been officially taken for the historical center of the Capital,” Mr. Tornivoukas emphasized.
What visitors love about Thessaloniki
The survey showed that approximately 58% of visitors traveled to Thessaloniki for leisure reasons, mainly attracted by the city’s gastronomy, shopping, and nightlife.
The overall satisfaction of visitors stabilized in 2024 at 7.8, as it was in 2023. At the same time, the percentage of travelers who would recommend Thessaloniki and visit it again increased to 94% and 92%, respectively.
Entertainment (8.6) and the hospitality of the residents (8.5) received the highest ratings.
