Airbnb expands hotel presence amid major Greek tourism investments

Airbnb is expanding its business model by accelerating its entry into the hotel sector. According to second-quarter 2026 data, the company's hotel segment is growing approximately three times faster than its traditional short-term home rentals. CEO Brian Chesky noted that interest from hotel businesses has exceeded initial expectations, though hotels still represent a single-digit percentage of total stays. CFO Ellie Mertz emphasized that the selection of hotel accommodations will remain selective.

In Greece, a significant wave of tourism investments exceeding 1 billion euros is entering the licensing phase. These projects focus on creating integrated destinations that combine luxury resorts, marinas, wellness facilities, and cultural infrastructure. A major development is the Nautilus Project in Platyiali, Astakos, promoted by Astakos Terminal S.A. and MYMAR Nautilus Investments Limited. This project aims to transform a 1,780-acre industrial zone into an international maritime tourism destination, with an initial phase budgeted at 524 million euros to create a home port for mega yachts.