The Tourism Ministry bill introducing regulations for short-term rentals is “in the right direction,” said a majority of related agencies invited to table their opinion at a parliamentary committee on Monday.
At the Standing Committee on Production and Trade, the bill was approved in principle on the votes of ruling New Democracy.
Deputies of main opposition PASOK, SYRIZA, Greek Solution, Niki, Course for Freedom and Spartiates withheld judgment until the plenary debate, while deputies of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and New Left voted against it.
Among those welcoming the regulations were the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (XEE), saying it was never against Airbnb but supported regulated short-term rentals, the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX), the Confederation of Business Owners of Tourism Accommodation, and the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies (FedHATTA).
The Hellenic Property Association opposed the bill, while the Short-Term Accommodation Managers Association of Greece (STAMA Greece) said there were very few illegal properties, while noting that short-term rentals had put to use abandoned buildings in Athens, adding available spaces.
Other agencies, especially those representing food and hospitality staff, said the bill did not protect people who worked at short-term rentals, accusing the government of not knowing the actual number of short-term rentals, the number of beds available, and the total of staff employed.
This post was originally published on here