G. Sfakianakis in Tornos News | Last-minute bookings shaped this year’s season

Last-minute bookings seem to be shaping this year’s final result for hotels in Crete, affecting both occupancy and revenue. However, despite the challenges, Crete continues to fascinate its visitors, maintaining its leading position as a top destination for Greek and foreign travelers.

Giorgos Sfakianakis, president of the Pancretan Association of Hotel Managers of Crete, comments in Tornos News that this year’s season started with positive signs in arrivals, but presented clear changes in visitor habits. In fact, arrivals so far from abroad have increased by 5-6% compared to last year, while domestic flights have recorded an increase of approximately 15%. Meanwhile, visitors from long distances, such as the US, continue to prefer Crete, arriving first in Athens and then traveling to the island, explains Mr. Sfakianakis.

Giving a sense of this year’s behavior of customers in hotels, Mr. Sfakianakis notes the following: “The economic situation and the pressure on European households have changed consumer habits. Travelers are looking for cheaper destinations and taking advantage of offers, often booking their packages just two to one week before the trip. This has led to reduced prices to attract customers and has affected the revenues of hotels, especially those that provide full all-inclusive service,” he says.

He makes special reference to short-term rentals, noting that this has contributed to the dispersion of reservations, as a result of which high occupancy rates are not always achieved in hotels and the average length of stay is gradually decreasing by half a day annually. However, despite the challenges, serious hotels are not reducing their services, but are adjusting their prices to meet the new conditions, as he explains.

As for September, it emerged as one of the best months for hotels in Crete, with occupancy rates of over 80%, boosted by good prices and favorable weather.

In fact, forecasts show that hotels will maintain high occupancy rates until the end of October, while some will remain open until mid-November, although with limited demand, Mr. Sfakianakis notes in TN.

Finally, the president of the Crete Hotel Managers Association emphasizes that the development of winter tourism in Heraklion still requires low-cost flights and organized planning, despite the fact that the city is bustling with life and tourists even in winter. In this direction, the new airport is expected to bring cheaper flights and greater occupancy during the winter season, paving the way for twelve-month tourism prospects on the island.

Source:
tornosnews.gr
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/economy/53348-g-sfakianakis-in-tornos-news-%7C-last-minute-bookings-shaped-this-year%E2%80%99s-season.html