100% Hotel Show Booms Into Action, Spotlights Business Knowhow

Hoteliers, entrepreneurs, architects, designers and tourism professionals had the chance to exchange ideas, concerns and solutions at this year’s 100% Hotel Show, which kicked off on Saturday and runs through today at the MEC exhibition center in Peania, eastern Attica.

The event focused on the needs of the hotelier and of professionals in the accommodation and tourism business, with particular emphasis on the six steps required to get a hotel up and running. With construction, innovation and renovation as its main themes, participants were taken through the development process of the accommodation business from the initial investment all the way to the final placement of the product on the market.

Highlights this year included the national architecture 100% Hotel Design Awards ceremony, which took place Saturday night, highlighting the determining role of design in hotel decoration and renovation. Organizers hope the contest will become an integral part of the events.

In the meantime, the specially designed info points (Architects Info Point Area) manned by architects and designers drew in the crowds, who had the chance to meet up with field professionals and share ideas and original solutions.

GTP Island – The meeting point for travel professionals.

The GTP Island special segment — located in the heart of the exhibition’s networking lounge — served as a podium of exchange, where visiting hoteliers seized the opportunity to meet up with leading travel agencies and tour operators of the market and strengthen domestic partnerships. The “island” is open throughout the entire duration of the exhibition.

Of particular interest was the “Three Directions of a Successful Hotel Renovation – Design / F&B / Digital” event, featuring Design Hotels founder and CEO Claus Sendlinger, who got attendees talking after he presented the philosophy and knowhow behind the successful hospitality services company. Berlin-based Design Hotels markets some 280 independent hotels in over 55 countries.

“Three Directions of a Successful Hotel Renovation – Design / F&B / Digital” event with special guest Claus Sendlinger, Design Hotels founder and CEO.

Interest continued to peak on Sunday, with professionals attending the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) roundtable about ways for hoteliers to build and cement relations with travel agents and tour operators as well as how to establish far-reaching distribution networks. Representatives from major tour agencies in Greece were present to share their views.

Representatives from major travel agencies in Greece at HATTA’s roundtable about ways for hoteliers to build and cement relations with travel agents.

The event comes to close tonight.

All photos © GTP