Hoteliers will have an additional two years at their disposal to legalize structural changes and additions resulting from urban development incentives that emerged after the 2013 crisis.
In this direction, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis submitted today an amending bill to the Cabinet, which was approved by the Assembly, and is now expected to be submitted to the Parliament.
In statements after the Cabinet meeting, he mentioned that the bill amends Article 18 of the Law on the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations, a development that will favor improvements and renovations in hotel businesses.
The aim, he said, is to provide an extension under certain conditions until the end of 2027 for the submission of applications for the legalization of all structural changes and additional conversions, noting that a large number of hotel businesses in the country have undergone renovations or expansions due to the urban development incentives of 2013.
Article 18 of the 2019 law refers to special provisions for unlicensed tourist accommodations, stating that “any person who, on the date of entry into force of this Law, operates a hotel or tourist accommodation without a operating license under the Law on Hotels and Tourist Accommodations, is obliged within five (5) years to obtain a hotel or tourist accommodation operating license, in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the Regulations issued under it.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Koumis was asked to comment on the issue of reshuffling, noting that it is a matter concerning the President of the Republic.
“It concerns the President of the Republic; it does not concern us as ministers. Each of us has been assigned a separate portfolio. Personally, I am dedicated to the portfolio assigned to me, and I can state that tourism in our country has performed very well this year, with the most significant being that 2023 is turning into a milestone year due to the expected record-breaking revenues.”