Grecotel Hosts Best Reisen’s 2024 Conference, a Major German Tourism Event

Photo source: Grecotel

The Riviera Olympia & Aqua Park resort in Kyllini, part of the Grecotel hospitality group, recently hosted the annual conference of Best Reisen, one of Germany’s leading travel agency cooperatives.

Held in Greece for the first time from October 18-22 and in collaboration with leading German tour operator TUI Group, the event provided international travel agencies with a platform to discuss industry trends, challenges, and innovations.

The three-day conference brought together approximately 600 tourism professionals — partners of both TUI Group and Best Reisen — allowing them to experience the Western Peloponnese as a potential MICE destination.

During the conference, Best Reisen and TUI partners celebrated 25 years of successful collaboration, with TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel and leading German tour operators in attendance.

Founded in 1990, Best Reisen has developed into a robust network of over 700 travel agencies. In the previous financial year, they achieved sales of 1.25 billion euros, reflecting a 29 percent increase. The average turnover for a cooperating travel agency with Best Reisen exceeds 2.1 million euros.

Grecotel has been a strategic partner of Best Reisen since 1999.

Chief Commercial Offices (CCO) and Chairman of the board by Best-Reisen Frank Winkler, TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel, Grecotel CEO Mari N. Daskalantonaki, TUI Germany CEO Benjamin Jacobi, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chairman of the board by Best-Reisen Cornelius Meyer. Photo source: Grecotel

Experiencing Greek hospitality

The resort’s state-of-the-art conference center, which accommodates up to 1,000 guests, hosted discussions on key conference topics while offering delegates an authentic experience of Greek hospitality.

Set within 200,000 acres of lush gardens, Riviera Olympia provided delegates with a range of activities beyond the conference hall. The resort features four hotels, seaside mansions, numerous restaurants and bars, pools, and the Elixir Spa, which utilizes cutting-edge wellness techniques inspired by Ancient Olympia.

Photo source: Grecotel

“Our visionary investment has been recognized by the industry for placing Kyllini on the tourism map and contributing to the growth and development of the Western Peloponnese,” according to Grecotel officials.

Grecotel’s commitment to high-quality service and the promotion of Greek destinations led to Kyllini to be selected as the host destination for Best Reisen’s conference, a major event for the German tourism industry.

Founded in 1975 with a single hotel in Rethymno, Crete, Grecotel now boasts a portfolio of properties in 15 Greek destinations, providing top-tier services to guests worldwide, supported by a dedicated team of 7,000 employees.

In 2025, Grecotel will celebrate 50 years of continuous progress, showcasing its unique legacy and commitment to sustainable tourism.