In response to the repercussions of earlier legislative decisions, Parliament is poised to enact changes to the laws governing hotel operations and licensing.
Approximately 93% of local hotels have been rendered technically illegal due to recent legislative actions.
The proposed amendment aims to address the void created by the March law amendment, which has led to recurrent issues within the hotel industry, particularly concerning contracts with foreign tour operators and insurance companies.
Scheduled for discussion in the upcoming Plenary Session on Thursday, the bill has already undergone scrutiny today in the Parliament’s Trade Committee, with Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, expressing support.
The amendment targets Article 18 of the Law on the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations, specifically focusing on the transitional period during which hotels and tourist accommodations may operate without meeting the requirements of the basic law.
Notably, the proposed changes stipulate that the conditions for hotel operation will be waived if architectural plans, accompanied by evacuation and fire protection measures, are submitted to the Ministry of Tourism by the end of 2024, along with the necessary urban planning permissions or building permits.
This legislative move follows the implementation of laws in 2019, which granted existing hotels a five-year grace period to comply with regulations and secure operating licenses, a target that has proven elusive.
Consequently, the government’s attempt to extend this deadline, initially presented in a bill, necessitated alterations during parliamentary discussions and voting, prompting the need for further amendments expected to occur the following Thursday.
Deputy Minister Koumis, addressing reporters after today’s parliamentary Trade Committee session, attributed delays in license acquisition to the high number of expansions and announcements made by hotels in recent years, partly due to urban planning incentives introduced in 2013.
Reassuring concerns regarding security, Koumis affirmed that the proposed extension strengthens rather than compromises safety measures.hotel licensing. legislative changes, hotel operations, licensing
