ATHENS, April 19: The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) has announced strict controls on the rental of private residences for next year’s Olympics in Athens.

Greek Olympic Organisers hope to make up for a shortfall in hotel rooms by persuading thousands of Athenians to rent out their homes.

But only travel agents who have registered specific residences with the GNTO by the end of the month will be allowed to participate, officials were quoted as saying on Saturday.

The majority of private rentals will be managed by two consortia, Alpha Olympic Hospitality and Hellenic Olympic Hospitality, appointed by Athens Olympic Organisers (ATHOC) in December.

Independent agents will have to meet strict criteria with post-1982 properties preferred and a list of amenities with everything up to a non-slip bath mat specified, said the GNTO. —Reuters