Greek Hospitality Sector Sets Priorities for Future

Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Alexandros Vassilikos.

Infrastructure upgrades, digital reform and sustainable best practices will best prepare Greece’s hospitality industry for the new era, said Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) President Alexandros Vassilikos during the chamber’s 10th general assembly held on the sidelines of the Xenia 2022 hospitality trade show at the Metropolitan Expo center in Athens this week.

Looking to the future, Vassilikos underlined the importance of preparing the sector for the challenges ahead. In this direction, he referred to a series of HCH initiatives, including the Capsule T, which supports and promotes Greek technology startups for tourism and hospitality, boosts synergies to bring innovation to the country’s tourism sector, and helps HCH members implement upgrades.

With regard to sustainability, Vassilikos said it was of vital importance at this given period in time during the energy crisis to implement best practices. In this direction, the HCH commissions studies and research that will produce a clear understanding of what needs to be done so that Greek hotels integrate these best practices in to their operations.

Lastly, Vassilikos said it was the perfect time, at the height of this year’s “momentum” and with the effective use of RRF and EU (ESPA) funds to move forward with infrastructure upgrades that will contribute to the enhancement of the tourism product, the extension of the tourist season and the increase of higher quality tourism.

Of utmost importance in this effort, the cooperation between private and public enterprises, he said, adding that local communities are also called on to embrace the changes.

“Tourism concerns us all because it distributes the benefits to everyone. The hospitality [sector] must therefore concern society as whole having demonstrated that it supports the country in times of trouble. This requires a change in mindset to create a new culture of hospitality,” said Vassilikos, adding that this can and should start in grade schools.

In this direction, the HCH launched the “Philoxenia Mou” (My Hospitality) program earlier this year which aims to introduce students to the concepts of hospitality, diversity, entrepreneurship, inclusiveness, innovative and environmentally-friendly business development in hospitality as well as to hospitality-related professions and careers.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) was a communication supporter of the 10th general assembly of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.