ATHENS hoteliers shamelessly increased prices ahead of next month’s Games — but their make-money-while-the-sun-shines policy has backfired badly.

“The simple fact is that the Greeks were too greedy — and I can say that because I am Greek!” said Dimitri Patrikios, managing director of Ionian Island Holidays. “I have just come back from Greece and people are crying out that there’s no business.”

After all the trouble over whether venues for the Games would be ready in time, it’s a sad state of affairs for the Greek tourist industry. Some British holiday companies estimate that bookings to Greece are 20 per cent down on 2003, itself a poor year for overseas visitors to the country. The number of visitors has now declined for four years in succession.

But for last-minute sports fans it’s good news: there’s a surprising amount of availability, with many hoteliers being forced to make tactical U-turns and reduce room rates. Some Athens prices have been slashed by as much as 40 per cent, while hoteliers adjust rates.

This week the Athens Hoteliers Association admitted that 6,000 hotel beds in the capital remain unsold during the Games. Even big, well-known hotels such as the five-star Grande Bretagne have rooms.

Compared with the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it’s a disaster. Tourism rose by 20 per cent during the Sydney event. Noel Josephides, managing director of Sunvil Holidays, said: “The Greeks saw a chance to make a killing, and they took it. In some cases hotel prices went up by 5 to 12 times (the usual amount) during July and August. People are staying away.”

There are unprecedented bargains to be had, according to Josephides. Sunvil is offering 10 per cent discounts, while Ionian Island Holidays has two weeks for the price of one on some trips.

Patrikios said: “Holidaymakers have been put off by the Olympics because they think everywhere will be too busy, yet we still have some availability for August and September.”

What about getting tickets for the Games? Well, the signs for late bookers are positive. The Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises recently reported that half the tickets for the Games were still unsold.

With the Games less than two weeks away, there’s still a chance of attending the Opening Ceremony, according to Simon Gillespie, marketing manager of the official UK agents, Sportsworld Travel.

“We might be able to get tickets for the opening,” he said, “but we can certainly get tickets for the Closing Ceremony and events in which Britain has a great interest, such as rowing and athletics.”

One of the benefits of the Games has been a burst in investment in new chic hotels across Greece, and many still have availability. Most are full in Athens, but there are plenty of others on the islands.

With better — ie, not too hot — temperatures in Athens in September, when the Olympics are over, you can take advantage of the good value prices sure to be on offer then.

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