Greece Launches ‘Smotel’ Brand for Small Hospitality Units

Small hotel operations in Greece will now be represented under the brand “Smotel” launched this week by the Greek Confederation of Tourist Accommodation Enterprises (SETKE).

The aim of the new brand is to create a new generation of lodgings that can meet travelers’ increasing demands and at the same time propose fresh experiences.

The “Smotel” initiative comes after SETKE’s “Breakfast Basket” and “Alternative Holiday Experiences” projects, which are aimed at enhancing the tourist experience through modernized hospitality services.

Besides creating the conditions for the upgrade of small accommodation enterprises, SETKE’s initiatives aim to be an integral part of Greece’s post-Covid-19 tourism model. 

According to SETKE, tourist accommodation facilities regardless of category and size will be able to get brand certification provided they offer upgraded services and amenities to customers, promoting the overall hospitality experience.

More specifically, accommodation enterprises can get “Smotel” brand certification as long as they meet a set of specifications and provide customers with upgraded services such as the “Breakfast Basket” or in the case of lower key hotel categories, at least one experiential tourism activity.

SETKE President Panagiotis Tokouzis underlines the importance of streamlining the small accommodation unit experience particularly in the post-Covid era and in view of a strong desire and sentiment by travelers for diverse, upgraded and authentic experiences, which can now be offered by accommodation facilities under the Smotel brand. 

“SETKE’s new brand name, which is now a fact, aims to establish in the mind of the modern traveler a special, quality accommodation proposal, changing views about small tourist accommodation facilities as we knew them until today. Our ambition is for this new hospitality model to be established locally and abroad,” said Tokouzis.

The confederation represents more than 30,000 small accommodation facilities throughout Greece.