2016, a lost opportunity

Athens. The debt and refugee crises make the tourist scenario in Greece complex. In the last difficult years, however, the country's hospitality and travel industry has shown considerable resilience that has allowed operators to overcome many competitive hurdles. Still, more challenges are ahead and they take the form of further VAT increases, coupled with the Single Property Tax and the so-called "occupancy tax". Such measures are supposed to gradually come into effect by 2018, but they are understandably already worrying Greek operators. Massimiliano Sarti met Stefan Merkenhof, Managing Consultant of GBR Consulting - a Greek company affiliated, among others, to STR Global - in order to shed some light on the country's situation.