One in four tourists in the province of Famagusta ends up spending the night in unlicensed accommodation through the Airbnb platform, say the hoteliers of the province, emphasizing that the legal hotels in the free province of Famagusta have leaks from everywhere, which cost the guests a lot of money.
The province's hotels, in addition to the fact that tourists are moving to the occupied territories, are also facing the "Airbnb" phenomenon, which concerns the short-term rental of houses, which has gained significant ground in the last summer and entered the market dynamically, he said. the president of PASYXE Famagusta Doros Takkas.
The fact that Airbnb accommodations are not licensed and their owners do not pay the necessary taxes, creates unfair competition as described by Mr. Takkas. Most of the leases of Airbnb type accommodation, Mr. Takkas explains, are not declared and as a result the State loses public revenues of several million euros while the specific market continues to operate uncontrollably without rules.
In the province of Famagusta, it is estimated that several dozen beds are available through the platform, while hoteliers report that 1 in 4 tourists end up in unlicensed accommodation resulting in significant revenue loss for hoteliers - smaller units - and renters.
The landscape could "tidy up" somewhat, according to him, the opening of the register of real estate for short-term residence but also the imposition of specific specifications.
On the opposite bank, an owner, who rents his house in Protaras through the online platform Airbnb, who agreed to speak anonymously, stated that Airbnb accommodation is essentially the "rival" of "All Inclusive" offered by many hotels in Greece. and around the world.
Someone who will stay in such a house, will pay a taxi, will do his shopping in the local market, will eat his skewer and beer and in his passage will generally leave money to more people than if he stayed in a hotel, he concluded .
Source: RIK / Third Program, Despina Pourekkou