Greek Hospitality Sector Gives Back to Society with ‘Hotels For’ Initiative

The establishment of “Hotels For”, a new hospitality sector social responsibility initiative, was announced on Friday by the Greek Tourism Ministry and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH), during the chamber’s ninth general assembly, held on the sidelines of the HORECA 2020 expo.

According to HCH President Alexandros Vassilikos, the body will see to develop social responsibility initiatives, support those in need and promote sustainable development.

During his speech, Vassilikos invited all HCH members to be part of the initiative: “Each hotel, every single HCH member can now join the network of solidarity, support, positive contribution to a better and more optimistic Greece, contributing to social welfare, the environment, and to sustainability.”

The new body will be financed exclusively by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and established through legislation drawn up by the Tourism Ministry.

“The hotel [sector] concerns us all because besides offering accommodation, it is the home of social responsibility, contribution, and unity,” said Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis during the general assembly.

The “Hotels For” scheme is the hospitality sector’s hands-on contribution to society, aimed at “supporting the weakest, healing the wounds left behind by the crisis, protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development everywhere and for all,” the minister said.

Minister Theoharis went on to add that 2020 will set the foundations for sustainable tourism growth through the implementation of upgrade projects, quality, education, and alternative tourism products.

He also referred to the importance of bringing young minds on board. In this direction, he said that the HCH’s Capsule T program, Greece’s first travel and hospitality accelerator, would be promoted internationally.

“It is very important that fresh Greek minds are supported so as to achieve their goals. These are the people who can build and represent the Greece we want. A Greece that innovates, creates, evolves, and can pioneer,” the minister said.

In its 15th year, HORECA has managed to be established among the most important commercial forums and platforms of investment options to improve the infrastructure and services of hotels and food service businesses.