Filenews 20 March 2022 - by Adamos Adamou
"Don't give me... glamping objections!", was the message of Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdiou, to the members of the House Commerce Committee last week, when the new legislative framework prepared for classes and "stars" in tourist camps was first discussed.
The deputy minister explained that the proposed changes in the legislation ensure that Glamping, which concerns luxury camping sites, will now be institutionalized in our country, warning that "discounts" on what the deputy ministry itself proposes will not bring the desired results and will hit the sector before it can develop.
The deputy minister also mentioned the same to "F", noting that a lot of attention is needed to any changes promoted by the Parliament, since the visitors of Glamping already have in mind and know from abroad what a luxury camp is and something less will cause disappointment. In fact, the Secretary of State is concerned that any changes will not lower the standards to the standards of those who currently operate camps and call themselves Glamping.
After all, he said, those who do not meet the criteria will be able to join another category of luxury camps. As Mr. Perdios explained, Glamping abroad is very popular with young people, and especially among Millennials and those belonging to Generation Z, who are increasingly showing their interest in nature and the environment. That is why, he said, the new framework was prepared, on which there had also been public consultation.
For the preparation of the legislative framework that will allow the development of Glamping, that is, the luxury camps, the Deputy Ministry submitted to the House a bill that amends the Regulation of the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations Law and amending regulations. The legislation regulates the creation and operation of tourist accommodation establishments that fall under the category of tourist camps, which, as proposed, will be able to be classified in luxury classes A, B and without class, as the same is provided for other categories of tourist accommodation. At the same time, new provisions are being introduced that will regulate the development of "Glamping luxury camps", a new international trend in tourism, which is developing rapidly on a global scale and is linked to the experience of luxurious accommodation in the countryside.
According to the explanatory report that accompanies the legislation in the Parliament, these developments are expected to contribute to the enrichment of the tourism product, to the further development of mountainous areas and rural areas and at the same time to attract new sections of tourism markets. The Deputy Minister considers, as mentioned, very important the specific addition to the country's tourism product, mentioning, among other things, that the aim is not to benefit large companies or to do damage to the environment and forests but, on the contrary, to give new impetus to the mountains and the countryside and to continue to bring tourism closer to the local community. He also noted that rural residents could in turn develop such spaces to supplement their income.
Glamping with air conditioning and more
According to what was submitted to the Parliament, the tourist camps, based on criteria that they must meet, will be able to belong to four categories. The "top" category is the one that will be called Glamping luxury camp, followed by the category "luxury tourist camp", the tourist camp "A class" and the tourist camp "B class". For their "classification" there are mandatory and optional specifications, while for the Glamping category there are additional specifications, which are prohibitive for the other categories of tourist camps.
Based on the amendment of the law and the specifications in the regulations, glamping luxury camps are characterized as fenced land with facilities, located outside the residential area and are provided to those who come to them a luxurious experience of staying in nature, with or without food. They should also have methodically arranged spaces (positions) in which various types and sizes of camping means are placed qualitatively equipped, such as, thematic tents, tree houses, "frame and tented cabins", and / or other ground or elevated semi-permanent or temporary-built themed accommodations of high aesthetics, constructed with quality materials that are assembled and disassembled, harmonized and friendly with the natural environment.
The specifications that only glamping luxury camps must meet include, among others, the following:
- Each camping means is equipped at least with beds, linen, indoor and outdoor seats, with dining table, cabinet, hammock, has an air conditioning system (hot and cold), electricity supply, water supply of hot and cold water, sink and refrigerator.
- Each camping means has within its area a complete bath, with a supply of hot and cold water – shower, toilet and washbasin.
- The minimum internal area of each camping medium is set at 35 sq. m. (square metres), which does not include the area of the full bath.
- The minimum internal area of the full bath for each camping medium is set at 5 sq. m. (square metres). For the first 10 seats there should be one (1) full bathroom configured for the service of people with disabilities. For each additional 10 seats there should be one (1) full bathroom suitably configured for the service of people with disabilities.
- Frequency of linen change at least every two days.
- Daily cleaning of the camping areas (places).
- Round-the-clock seating service - position service (butler service type).
- Provision of laundry service.
Here are classes for hostels as well
Following the new legislative framework for camping sites, the Deputy Minister of Tourism confirmed that a regulation is being prepared for hostels - hostels. The issue was recently discussed in the House, where the gap that exists today in terms of hostels/hostels in which customers usually rent not a room, but beds, was noted. Mr. Perdios said that there have already been contacts on the issue and that legislative interventions are being prepared that will be put forward to parliament and in public consultation. As he explained, the philosophy elaborated by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism will be similar to the one promoted for the camps, since the aim is to have classes A and B and luxury hostels, with the latter having fewer public spaces. He said that if the regulations were pushed through now, there might not have been a delay in debating and passing the camp bills. He assured, however, that the deputy ministry has started work on the issue of hostels and that in three to four months there will be developments. We would like to remind you that when the issue was addressed by the Parliament, special emphasis was placed on the need to institutionalize youth hostels.
