GNTO-Greek Hotel Chamber Partnership to Take Off at ITB Virtual Expo 2021

HCH President Alexandros Vasilikos and GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis.

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) are joining forces to promote Greece to the international market and drive recovery for the tourism sector.

“The ‘next day’ for the tourism industry will have two main protagonists: quality and digital innovation,” the chamber’s president, Alexandros Vasilikos, said on Wednesday, following a meeting with GNTO’s secretary general, Dimitris Fragakis.

The partnership between the GNTO and the hotel chamber will take off from Germany’s ITB Berlin 2021 international trade show, which this year will be held in a virtual environment during March 9-12.

“We wish to focus on the different, special identity of the Greek tourism product and ITB Berlin – one of the largest international exhibitions for tourism – will be a great opportunity for this,” Fragakis said.

The organization’s partnership with the chamber at this year’s ITB Berlin will focus on the promotion of the unique features of Greece’s boutique hotels and innovations developed by Greek tourism startup companies to an international audience.

Boutique hotels
During ITB Berlin 2021, the GNTO will host 60 Greek boutique hotels that are enrolled in the chamber’s special “boutique hotel “ certification program. Boutique hotels are hospitality units of low capacity that offer a modern design, a distinctive character and innovative services.

Greek tourism startup companies
The GNTO will also host 20 startup companies that have been certified by the CaspuleT program and give them the opportunity to present their innovative tourism products/services and communicate with the audience of ITB Berlin. Launched by HCH, CapsuleT is Greece’s first travel and hospitality accelerator.

At ITB Berlin 2021, the GNTO will operate a “Greek Virtual Cafe”, where its co-exhibitors will be able to “meet” with potential clients, network and discuss with the users of the ITB platform.

The virtual cafe will host a special presentation on Greece with a live Q&A session and have special thematic sections (corners) for the promotion of Greece’s regions, hotels, tourism agencies, boutique hotels and startups.

The GNTO will also sponsor ITB Berlin’s Travel Tech & Startup Café, which will give Greek startup companies and potential clients the chance to “meet” and discuss in a dedicated Greek startup corner.

During ITB Berlin 2021, the GNTO’s stand will host a total of 250 co-exhibitors, among them 50 hospitality units active in the German market, 80 tourism agencies and DMCs, and 40 Greek municipalities and regions.