{"id":33418,"date":"2025-10-07T21:50:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T18:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bnbnews.gr\/?p=33418"},"modified":"2025-10-07T22:00:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T19:00:05","slug":"airbnb-and-all-inclusive-clash-in-crete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bnbnews.gr\/en\/news\/33418\/airbnb-and-all-inclusive-clash-in-crete\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbnb and all-inclusive clash in Crete"},"content":{"rendered":"

A sharp debate has emerged in Crete between the Crete Hoteliers Association<\/strong> and the Hersonissos Traders Association<\/strong>, following a letter sent by the island\u2019s hoteliers to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis calling for island-wide restrictions on short-term rentals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In response, the Hersonissos traders offered a completely different perspective on the economic impact of short-term rentals\u2014arguing that the real problem lies not with Airbnb but with the dominance of all-inclusive hotel models<\/strong>, which they say have drained life from local markets.<\/p>\n

Hoteliers\u2019 letter: A call for island-wide measures<\/h2>\n

In their letter to the Prime Minister, the Crete Hoteliers Association expressed \u201cdeep concern and alarm\u201d over what they described as the unchecked expansion of short-term rentals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Citing data from INSETE, they noted that Crete now counts 35,465 registered short-term rental properties<\/strong>\u2014around 14% of Greece\u2019s total<\/strong>\u2014with over 190,000 beds<\/strong> and an annual growth rate of about 10%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This rapid growth, they argued, has caused \u201cserious social and economic imbalances,\u201d including a shortage of housing<\/strong> for professionals, teachers, doctors, and tourism workers; rising rents<\/strong>; and a concentration of tourism activity in specific coastal areas<\/strong>, leaving the island\u2019s hinterland underdeveloped.<\/p>\n

The hoteliers are asking the government to apply horizontal restrictions on short-term rentals across all tourist zones in Crete<\/strong>, and to accelerate spatial planning for tourism<\/strong>, clearly defining where such rentals are permitted or limited.<\/p>\n

They clarify that they do not seek to abolish short-term rentals, but rather to regulate them from the first property<\/strong>, ensuring transparency and fair taxation compared to other accommodation providers.<\/p>\n

The traders\u2019 response: \u201cAirbnbs sustain local markets\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"\u0395\u03bc\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2<\/a>The Hersonissos Traders Association<\/strong> responded with a firm but measured rebuttal. While acknowledging some of the hoteliers\u2019 concerns\u2014particularly regarding housing shortages for essential workers\u2014they reject the notion of treating short-term rentals as the main culprit.<\/p>\n

\u201cAirbnbs and small lodgings are the ones that feed local markets,<\/strong>\u201d the association emphasized, arguing that the dominance of all-inclusive hotel packages<\/strong> has led to a decline in local spending<\/strong> and significant losses for shops, restaurants, cafes, travel agencies, and car rental companies.<\/p>\n

According to the traders, the real issue is not short-term rentals but the overreliance on all-inclusive tourism<\/strong>, which has resulted in \u201cwaste of resources\u201d and \u201cerosion of traditional Cretan hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLimit all-inclusive \u2013 follow Mallorca\u2019s example\u201d<\/h3>\n

The Hersonissos traders also presented a set of proposals<\/strong> aimed at sparking a broader conversation about sustainable tourism development<\/strong> in Crete:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Restrict all-inclusive programs during the high season<\/strong> (June 20 \u2013 August 20), following Mallorca\u2019s example, where since 2022 limits have been imposed on alcohol consumption in such resorts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Introduce a \u201cweekend off all-inclusive\u201d policy<\/strong>, suspending the model on Saturdays and Sundays to encourage guests to dine and shop locally.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Allow all-inclusive packages only for families with two or more children<\/strong>, and abolish them entirely in adults-only hotels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The association concedes that all-inclusive packages remain popular amid Europe\u2019s current economic uncertainty, yet insists that Crete must \u201cgradually move away from this model\u201d to avoid becoming \u201ca low-value destination.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe must not become prey to the giants\u201d<\/h3>\n

    In a strongly worded conclusion, the traders warn:<\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cWe cannot remain stagnant, sweeping the dust under the rug. With the new airport about to open, we must act to prevent Crete from turning into a low-income destination and from becoming prey to large corporate interests.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    A debate with broader implications<\/h3>\n

    The exchange between hoteliers and traders underscores two competing visions for Crete\u2019s tourism future<\/strong>:<\/p>\n