As the summer season hits its peak, those who haven’t yet booked their holidays still have good reason to remain optimistic. Despite strong demand, there is significant availability and appealing offers in popular Greek destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini — even during the high-traffic week of August 11–17.
Mykonos and Santorini: Room for More
In Mykonos, 468 accommodations are actively seeking guests, offering discounts of up to 50%. Santorini appears equally promising, with 680 properties featuring at least one available room for the same week. The offers span a wide range of lodging options, including mid-range and high-end establishments, allowing travelers to choose based on their budget and preferences.
Wider Availability Across Key Islands
A similar pattern is emerging across other high-demand destinations. In Rhodes, more than 500 properties are available, while in the Ionian Sea, Corfu alone offers 460 accommodation options. Zakynthos shows slightly tighter availability, with just 213 properties still offering open rooms — though many are accompanied by significant discounts. In Chania, Crete, 310 accommodations are ready to welcome guests during the week of the Dormition (August 15th holiday).
Short-Term Rentals Shift the Market
According to tourism officials, the increased presence of short-term rentals — especially platforms like Airbnb — is reshaping the market landscape. This shift is exerting considerable pressure on traditional hotels, prompting them to respond with aggressive last-minute promotions to maintain occupancy levels. Industry insiders note that five-star hotels are feeling the greatest impact, while four-star all-inclusive resorts appear to be holding up well, showing stronger performance.
June Slow, July Stronger — August Looks Bright
June saw moderate occupancy rates and pricing, but July has shown stronger performance. Forecasts for August are positive, with booking activity ramping up significantly. A growing trend toward last-minute reservations is driving this surge, pushing more properties to adopt flexible pricing strategies and discounts to ensure they maintain high occupancy.
Key Performance Metrics: Occupancy and Price
For hoteliers, two primary indicators remain at the center of performance monitoring: occupancy rates and the average daily rate (ADR). These metrics are essential in evaluating a hotel’s success — always measured against operational costs. As demand becomes increasingly dynamic, balancing these indicators has become critical to navigating the competitive summer landscape.
