Greece government to curb hotels' excessive pricing during games

Greek government on Thursday called on local hoteliers to stop increasing hotel rates irrationally for the Olympic Games time.After meeting with presidents of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Hoteliers' Union of Attica and National Tourism Organization (EOT), Deputy Tourism Minister Anastasios Liaskos told reporters that the government wishes to "halt" the excessive pricing demands of a minority of Greek hoteliers and to ensure that the Olympic Games will not be used as an excuse for profiteering.

However, he emphasized that the ministry does not wish to intervene in the marketplace, but wishes to safeguard the country' s tourism industry as well as Greece's image abroad.

Figures show that only 10% of Attica hotels are looking to increase their rates excessively.

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and EOT have sent to those particular hotels letters demanding they justify the increases they seek.

"The 2004 Olympic Games will provide the opportunity for growth and development of the tourism sector; practices disgracing the Greek tourism industry will not be allowed," Liaskos said.

The Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE) in a written statement issued on Thursday also condemned "any profiteering practices and exploitation of tourists during the Olympic Games as such practices are damaging to the entire Greek tourism industry."