A ceiling on Airbnb-type short-term rentals, introduction of the “Sporadic Hotel” concept and a “green” end to all tourist activities are recommended in the new Special Spatial Framework ( SSP) for Tourism.
According to Joint Ministerial Decision and the Strategic Environmental Impact Study that was put up for public consultation yesterday until September 15 Ministries of the Environment and tourism the country is divided into five categories, depending on the level of burden, and new development directions are defined for each.
Airbnb
In “red” are placed 18 areas judged to be “saturated” and for the first time separately classified as “control areas”. In out-of-plan saturated areas, it is proposed to limit the creation of new facilities or uses that are incompatible with tourist activity ( especially industrial and craft facilities, wholesale trade facilities, buildings and storage grounds, livestock facilities). .
In addition, it is proposed to impose compensation in his favor Green Fund, in tourism activities, including short-term rentals (known as Airbnb) and simple rooms for rent, with the aim of financing renovation and infrastructure. It is also proposed to limit the number of Airbnb and short-term rental properties as well as the number of rooms for rent, as a percentage of tourist beds, without providing further details.
Subsidies for tourist activities
At the same time, the part is tried to be connected subsidies in the tourism business (through NSRF, Recovery Fund etc.) along with the area where it is located and its quality rating (stars). In particular, it is proposed that investments related to the construction of new units or expansion of old ones will not be subsidized if they are located in saturated areas (otherwise “control areas”). Corresponding investments in developed areas can only be supported if they are related to accommodation above 4 stars, while in all the rest tourist investments above 3 stars can be subsidized.
In saturated areas, subsidies will be given for projects related to the modernization of hotel units if they belong to or are upgraded to a category of at least 4 stars. For all other areas the subsidies relate to accommodation above 3 stars. If the construction and modernization of a combined hotel unit is related to traditional buildings or those designated conservation, it is proposed to subsidize projects belonging to or upgraded to a category above 3 stars if it is located in saturated or developed areas. and at least 2 stars in others. Similarly, the new type of investment provided by the new Tourism PES for “Networks and clusters of tourist destinations” in developed and developing areas will also be strengthened.
Sporadic hotel
In addition, the concept of “Sporadic hotel» provide the possibility to create Complex Tourist Accommodations (such as hotel infrastructure that combines houses furnished for rent or sale and special tourist infrastructure facilities) within abandoned settlements before 1923 or with a population of less than 2,000 inhabitants, with the obligation to develop it again. It is related to the settlements that exist scattered in Greece, such as Teno, Rose Sfakia, Kastoria, Grevena, Peloponnese and so on. However, it states that the legislative regulation for their selection criteria, the land acquisition procedure, urban planning and financial incentives, etc.
Rocky islands, uninhabited islands and coastal zones
About rocky islands and uninhabited islands less than 300 acres remain outside the touristic … frame because no type of development will be allowed. HOWEVER for uninhabited islands of more than 300 hectares, Organized Tourist Activities Hosts are allowed, in gentle growth. In the coastal zones of the mainland and the islands, at a depth of 500 meters from the coast _ taking into account the evolution of the sea level rise due to climate change _ the installation of permanent buildings is prohibited nature at an altitude lower than the altitude of the coast, increased to 60 cm.
Organized form of tourism
Also, in organized forms of tourism development (OMAT) which includes organized parties, complex tourist accommodation, etc. Granted air facilities, while they are able to join parts of protected areas. It is also proposed to increase golf facilities, develop conference tourism in developed areas and develop urban centers with the possibility of increasing the basic conditions of urban planning (building factor, volume factor), use of non active quarries for tourist activities, etc.
Within cities, in the case of the withdrawal of discredited tourist units, it is possible to transfer their building and reconstruction rate to the same place as the rate that was implemented when they were licensed. In addition, traditional buildings can be converted into tourist accommodation in single and general residential areas.
Spatial organization of tourist accommodation in the region
(A) Control regions (saturated). These include: Pieria beach, part of Skiathos and Corfu (near the city), Zakynthos (municipality of Zakynthos, Arkadia and Laganas), Ermoupoli Syros, Santorini (Thira and Oia), East Kos, Mykonos, Rhodes (Afantou, Ialyssos, Kallithea), South Tinos, Malia and Hersonissos in Heraklion and Nea Kydonia in Chania. Until the determination of land use, conditions and restrictions on the construction of unplanned areas, for the construction of new hotels the minimum required land area will increase to 16 hectares.
In the same areas within the network Nature 2000 the development of new tourism infrastructure is allowed only after management plans are established. The construction of new accommodation in 4 and 5 star categories is allowed. Among other things, it is allowed to modernize existing units, upgrade to 4 or 5 stars / keys and convert them to OMAT. The partial or total withdrawal of abandoned or abandoned buildings and tourist facilities is proposed, or their demolition if they hurt the landscape, etc.
(B) Developed areas: The same provisions as given saturated areas, with the difference that in unplanned areas for the construction of new hotels (4 and 5 stars) the minimum The required land area is set at 12 acres, essentially. less than 20 hectares provided for the 2013 EPA, which was canceled by the SC. In addition, incentives are being promoted for the conversion of traditional or preserved buildings into hotel units.
(C) Developing areas: The same possibilities as category (B) are proposed, with the difference that the construction of new accommodation in the 3, 4 and 5 star categories is allowed, without, however , refers to the allowed perfection or restrictions of the content areas. the plan, as well as the expansion of existing units in the same categories. It is planned to take advantage of abandoned settlements of architectural interest, by converting buildings into accommodation (at least 3 stars) or by new, larger investments with incentives for existing owners or interested investors (for example, an increase in the building area in an area equal to 20% of the implemented). In the islands of the category, the maximum capacity of the units reaches 100 beds.
(D) Areas with potential for development: The construction of new accommodation, expansion and modernization of those in the 3, 4 and 5 star categories and on islands up to 100 beds is allowed . Incentives are proposed for the development of special forms of tourism, the transformation of traditional or preserved buildings into hotel units and the use of abandoned settlements (such as category C).
(E) Undeveloped areas: Providing incentives with more favorable building conditions (eg under conditions up to 10% greater building factor, coverage, height, volume) reduction of the required criteria for the construction and upgrading of the city of tourist accommodation, and others. special forms of tourism and the use of abandoned settlements are also promoted.
What is allowed in Natura areas
The proposed EPA for Tourism provides specific directions for areas in the National System of Protected Areas, such as prohibiting the development of new tourist infrastructure in controlled areas that fall under the network of Natura 2000, up to the definition of management plans.
However, as mentioned by SMPE under consultation, tourist facilities may occupy part of the residential types (except priority areas), thereby reducing their area.
As mentioned in the SMPE, the PES is followed by other actions, permits and approvals to license the projects included in it. “Therefore, it is reasonable, regarding the issues of the Natura 2000 Network, to set the general guidelines, conditions and limits that, together with all the commitments arising from the special legislation for the areas of the Natura 2000 Network, as man. as expected more detailed analysis that follows for the licensing of each project to fully ensure the connectivity and integrity of the Network”, point out the authors of the study.