Tourism officials in Athens said Wednesday they would scrap a controversial clause excluding buildings more than 23 years old from the Olympic rental program.
Officials running the Athens 2004 private home rental program had called the clause “incredibly silly”. They note that few apartment blocks in desirable central areas had been built after 1981. While demand for private Athens flats was low, most of the ticket holders have expressed an interest in staying in the centre of Athens.
Most of the city’s top hotels have been reserved for International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials and other foreign dignitaries.
Meanwhile, the Greek Foreign Ministry is preparing instructions for its embassies in countries that have visa regulations with Greece that Greece intends to temporarily change the regulations in the run-up to the 2004 Games.
But tourists, fans, persons travelling on private trips and businessmen will have to submit a list of documents if they want to apply for a Greek visa.
The new requirements would not apply to the athletes and coaches who will start entering the country as of July 30.
