New Hotel Chamber President Promises Modernization

Greek Hotel Chamber’s outgoing president, Aristotelis Divanis and new incoming president, Makis Fokas, with newly- elected Athens Mayor Dora Bakogianni.

A trip into the downtown offices of the Greek Hotel Chamber does not leave one impressed with its civil-servant-type organization. The chamber’s newly elected president, Makis Fokas, however, says he intends to change this.

“I intend to turn the chamber into a modern organization that will serve Greek hotels no matter how big or small and no matter where they are located in the country,” says Mr. Fokas. “My personal aim is to create a positive body that works for the good of the entire Greek hotel sector and the tourism industry in general.”

Mr. Fokas adds that the chamber must regain its initial role as the official mouthpiece between the tourism sector and government, as well as creating improved services to its members. He says the basic tool the chamber will use to keep professionals highly informed on the industry will be the Institute for Tourism Research, which is funded by the chamber.

“What we have to do, however, is to have the institute concentrate on the hotel and tourism sector studies and not studies on international economies,” he says. The hotel chamber, founded in 1935, is the official and legal council for government concerning tourism matters. It also is one of the most economic sound organizations in the tourism sector with property and plenty of cash.