On the 19th and 20th of February 2026, the Short Stay Athens Conference 2026, the official annual conference of Stama Greece, took place in Athens. It brought together hospitality professionals, property managers, platforms, technology companies, and institutional bodies.
The conference reflected a maturing short-term rental market characterised by strong demand, impactful regulatory interventions, and the growing role of technology.
Key market data
The data presented outlined the true size and structure of the Greek short-term rental market:
- Greece is approaching sixth place in the European short-term rental market.
- Between July and September 2025, nearly 1 million more overnight stays were recorded compared to the same period in 2019.
- The country maintains over 130,000 active listings, whilst total listings for 2025 reached nearly 160,000.
- In 2025, 116,000 Property Registry Numbers (AMA) were registered with at least one booking.
- Since the launch of the Property Register, 358,115 AMAs have been issued, corresponding to 238,600 Property Identification Numbers (ATAK).
Demand and outlook for 2026
International demand for Airbnb properties in Greece remains high, showing positive signs for the upcoming tourist season:
- Approximately 90% of bookings originate from abroad.
- Crete and Corfu recorded an increase in both occupancy and average daily rate (ADR).
- Athens and Mykonos showed normalisation trends, with Mykonos experiencing a 15% price correction.
Regarding advance bookings for summer 2026, July currently shows a 16% increase, whilst August is up by 11%.
Furthermore, mention was made of major events taking place in Athens, such as concerts by international artists, which drastically boost demand by 40% to 80%.
Regulatory interventions and their real impact
Particular emphasis was placed on evaluating recent restrictions, primarily in central Athens:
- A reduction of around 2,500 active AMAs in the capital’s centre alone, equating to a drop of roughly 8%.
- A decrease in Airbnbs across the three central districts of the Municipality of Athens, falling from 29,500 to 27,000.
Real estate market representatives stated that the implemented restrictions and regulatory interventions failed to alleviate the housing crisis, effectively exonerating Airbnbs.
Upgrades, tools, and artificial intelligence
The conference clearly highlighted the transition of short-term rentals from simple property exploitation to a professional hospitality product. Value is no longer derived solely from location, but from professional management and the overall upgrading of the accommodation.
Concurrently, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) were presented as essential tools for the market’s next maturation phase. Automated pricing, booking management, and guest communication solutions contribute to reducing operational costs, making more targeted decisions, and improving the overall hospitality experience, whilst simultaneously increasing revenue per booking.
Key takeaways
The Short Stay Athens Conference 2026 confirmed that the Greek short-term rental market is no longer in an experimental phase, but rather in a stage of professionalisation and specialisation.
Demand remains robust despite restrictions, and the true competitive advantage is now shaped by strategic management, product quality, and the utilisation of technology.
At the close of the conference, elections were held for the new Board of Directors of Stama Greece, to which Sparrow’s CEO, Nik Georgakopoulos, was elected as a Substite Board Member.
