ATHENS – Trying to walk a balance between property owners with one or two units they rent on short-term platforms such as Airbnb, Greece will regulate entrepreneurs who have a number of them to help hotels deal with the competition.

The Minister of State Responsible for the Coordination of Government Work Akis Skertsos said it will be aimed on businesses who’ve scooped up units in neighborhoods, emptying them of residents and driving up rents.

That comes as the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) was holding its annual conference and he said there will be a “clear distinction” between properties rented by private individuals and those leased by entrepreneurs, said GTP Headlines.

He said while short-term rentals  have provided “significant income to support the Greek family and owners of small properties,” that multiple unit owners have an advantage over hotels despite what looks to be a record number of tourists in 2022.

“We will put a stop to the unfair competition at the expense of tourism businesses caused by informal, large-scale, professional short-term rentals. At the same time, a family or individual that rents one or two apartments will not be affected in any way,” Skertsos also said.

“We need to put in place some rules that will highlight and strengthen both the tourist product and the daily life of our citizens,” he also added.