More independent tourists in Corfu in pandemic
tourism
15 Jul 2021
/ 12:40
CORFU. 70%-80% of international arrivals are with low-cost companies with relatively good seat occupancy.
Τhe pandemic has created a new trend in the Corfu tourist market, whereas until recently package holidays were the most popular, especially among British tourists, now more and more travellers fly to the island with low-cost companies and spend their holidays as independent visitors.
According to the President of Corfu Civil Aviation Authority Employees' Union Dimitris Roussos, 70%-80% of international arrivals are with low-cost companies with relatively good seat occupancy of up to 80%. “At the moment a high percentage of flights are low-cost companies chosen by many for their holidays. Because Britain, which makes up the majority of the tourist market, is absent, it seems that more independent passengers are coming on low-cost airlines and moving around the town,” he explained.
Increased activity in short-term rental properties
At the same time, increased activity can also be seen in short-term rental properties, chosen by many as an extra safeguard against Covid-19. “Since the beginning of June, we have increased activity and we are fully-booked in July and August, while there is also an interest in the last days of September,” says Alexandros Heine, manager of short-term rental accommodation, who is responsible for 147 rooms.
He points out that, compared to last year there is a 35% increase in activity, despite the low level of winter pre-bookings. “To a large extent guests would have chosen the Airbnb option in any case, but we also have many clients who, mainly for psychological reasons, choose this option in order to be more isolated and feel safe in a controlled environment where they will be alone,” he said, adding that on average the length of stay ranges from 4 to 7 days, as many choose to stay in more than one place and in different areas of the island. As for the cost of an overnight stay, it varies from €100 – €1,000 per night depending on the facilities of each place of accommodation.
However, as the Corfu Tourist Accommodation Owners President Periklis Katsaros claims, questions are raised regarding the carrying out of checks and tests on short-term rental accommodation guests. “We offer safe conditions for our guests, as each rental has a separate entrance and balcony and does not come into contact with others, so that they feel safe,” he said. He went on to say that short-term rentals operate in conditions of unfair competition, calling for the same operating conditions to be applied here as in the case of rental accommodation, which is taxed for each Euro.
Rental cars in high demand
This new trend with independent tourists is also evident in car rental companies, as whic are in high demand from this category of visitor wishing to tour the island. The high demand is of course also related to the limited availability, as many companies have either not renewed their fleet due to the pandemic, or proceeded to sell cars due to the need for liquidity.
“There has been a decrease in the number of rental cars and the low availability creates a high demand,” says Dimitris Moutsos, founder of Corfu SunSpots Tourist Enterprises, adding that the rental cost of a small car is €40 per day.
Catering industry
Even though the car rental sector is doing well, the catering sector is performing at a different speed. “At the moment, there are more independent tourists moving around the town. However, the catering industry has not had the same benefits as rental cars, which are doing very well, because even though they choose to tour everywhere on the island with their cars, they cook in the property they rent," said Vassilis Vassilakis, Board member of the Panhellenic Federation of Restaurant Enterprises (POESE).
According to the President of Corfu Civil Aviation Authority Employees' Union Dimitris Roussos, 70%-80% of international arrivals are with low-cost companies with relatively good seat occupancy of up to 80%. “At the moment a high percentage of flights are low-cost companies chosen by many for their holidays. Because Britain, which makes up the majority of the tourist market, is absent, it seems that more independent passengers are coming on low-cost airlines and moving around the town,” he explained.
Increased activity in short-term rental properties
At the same time, increased activity can also be seen in short-term rental properties, chosen by many as an extra safeguard against Covid-19. “Since the beginning of June, we have increased activity and we are fully-booked in July and August, while there is also an interest in the last days of September,” says Alexandros Heine, manager of short-term rental accommodation, who is responsible for 147 rooms.
He points out that, compared to last year there is a 35% increase in activity, despite the low level of winter pre-bookings. “To a large extent guests would have chosen the Airbnb option in any case, but we also have many clients who, mainly for psychological reasons, choose this option in order to be more isolated and feel safe in a controlled environment where they will be alone,” he said, adding that on average the length of stay ranges from 4 to 7 days, as many choose to stay in more than one place and in different areas of the island. As for the cost of an overnight stay, it varies from €100 – €1,000 per night depending on the facilities of each place of accommodation.
However, as the Corfu Tourist Accommodation Owners President Periklis Katsaros claims, questions are raised regarding the carrying out of checks and tests on short-term rental accommodation guests. “We offer safe conditions for our guests, as each rental has a separate entrance and balcony and does not come into contact with others, so that they feel safe,” he said. He went on to say that short-term rentals operate in conditions of unfair competition, calling for the same operating conditions to be applied here as in the case of rental accommodation, which is taxed for each Euro.
Rental cars in high demand
This new trend with independent tourists is also evident in car rental companies, as whic are in high demand from this category of visitor wishing to tour the island. The high demand is of course also related to the limited availability, as many companies have either not renewed their fleet due to the pandemic, or proceeded to sell cars due to the need for liquidity.
“There has been a decrease in the number of rental cars and the low availability creates a high demand,” says Dimitris Moutsos, founder of Corfu SunSpots Tourist Enterprises, adding that the rental cost of a small car is €40 per day.
Catering industry
Even though the car rental sector is doing well, the catering sector is performing at a different speed. “At the moment, there are more independent tourists moving around the town. However, the catering industry has not had the same benefits as rental cars, which are doing very well, because even though they choose to tour everywhere on the island with their cars, they cook in the property they rent," said Vassilis Vassilakis, Board member of the Panhellenic Federation of Restaurant Enterprises (POESE).
