The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) today formally submitted its positions on the country’s new Special Spatial Framework for Tourism as part of the public consultation.
With the assistance of specialized experts, the HCH’s proposals which had been submitted during a previous consultation process in 2024, and the final positions were finalized at the regular meeting of the Chamber’s Board of Directors on Friday, May 22, 2026.
The main points of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping’s positions are as follows:
- Full disclosure and scientific review of the methodology used to categorize regions within the new spatial planning framework, and the mandatory preparation of Carrying Capacity Assessment Reports.
- Treating carrying capacity as a dynamic variable influenced by public investment and the adequacy of public infrastructure, particularly in water supply, sewerage, energy, road networks, and waste management.
- A differentiated and evidence-based approach by region and destination, based on legislation regarding the environmental classification of hotels, rather than horizontal regulations applied uniformly regardless of local characteristics.
- Review of regulations such as the general 100-bed limit, increased density requirements, and the proposal for a new non-reimbursable environmental fee.
- Inclusion of short-term rental beds in both carrying capacity calculations and regional classification indices.
- Establishment of comprehensive regeneration and management mechanisms for saturated tourist destinations.
- Ensuring legal certainty and a stable framework for citizens, investors, and businesses in the tourism sector.
- Intensifying cooperation with tourism institutions during the final formulation and implementation of the new framework.
The President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Mr. Alexandros Vasilikos, emphasized in a related statement:
The HTA, as an institutional advisor to the State, has repeatedly highlighted the need to establish a Special Spatial Planning Framework for Tourism as a necessary prerequisite for the future and prospects of the Greek hospitality industry.
However, the sustainable development of the hospitality sector in Greece—which everyone cites as a common goal—requires clear rules for both sustainability and development. In the area of sustainability, our country already has a pioneering environmental classification system for hotels, legislated by the Ministry of Tourism following thorough work by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (XEE) and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), which can only be used in place of blanket restrictions.
At the same time, in the realm of development, we need legal certainty, stability for investments, and rules that do not demonize healthy entrepreneurship. This is all the more true when we are talking about a sector that is a proven pillar of the national economy and must continue to offer its multiplier benefits to citizens and local communities.