EENE: Tourism and Production Can Boost Greece’s Competitiveness

The direct link between Greece’s tourism industry and its broader economic sectors was thoroughly discussed at the 8th Economic Conference of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association (EENE), held on Wednesday, November 13, in Athens.

This year’s conference, titled ‘Reindustrialization and Skills: Building a Competitive and Resilient Economy,’ focused on the strong link between tourism and Greece’s productive processes.

Tourism: A crucial link in the economic chain

EENE Vice President Alexandros Angelopoulos highlighted that tourism is not a “monoculture” but rather a sector intricately linked to other economic areas, such as industry and agriculture. He explained that the competitiveness of tourism directly correlates with the competitiveness of Greece’s broader productive sectors.

“Tourism is part of the production process. The more competitive industries and agricultural production are, the more competitive tourism becomes,” Angelopoulos said.

EENE Vice President and Aldemar Resorts CEO Alexandros Angelopoulos. Photo source: EENE

Referring to Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greece’s first tourism minister, Angelopoulos echoed his sentiment that “tourism is the soft diplomacy of the country”. He also underlined that tourism accounts for a significant portion of Greece’s GDP, making it a key player in employment, with the sector being the “largest employer” in the country.

Skills and digital transformation

Angelopoulos, who also serves as CEO of Aldemar Resorts, stressed the need for skilled labor in the sector. He noted the growing reliance on technology to address the workforce shortage in tourism. However, he warned that the sector’s training programs are insufficient and called for an upgrade in skills to align with the industry’s evolving needs.

He also pointed out that 70 percent of accommodation businesses’ revenue flows into state coffers, underscoring the sector’s economic importance. According to Angelopoulos, Greece needs a new productive model where human development aligns with the nation’s competitiveness goals.

Digital transformation in tourism

Kostas Panagakis (moderator) from TravelWorks with EENE Vice President Alexandros Angelopoulos, Endeavor Greece CEO Panagiotis Karabinis, Exclusivi CEO Babis Kourtzis and Hotellisense co-founder Giorgos Karathanasis. Photo source: EENE

The discussion turned to the role of digital technology in tourism. Giorgos Karathanasis, co-founder of Hotellisense, highlighted how digital upgrades are crucial for reducing operating costs and improving productivity in the sector. “We are still in the early stages. Our goal is to offer visitors an experience that will lead them to return to the destination,” he said.

The need for technological development

Panagiotis Karabinis, CEO of Endeavor Greece, echoed Angelopoulos’ reference to “soft diplomacy”, emphasizing that the tourism sector has been a driving force behind successful international campaigns promoting Greece. He stressed that the next step for the sector lies in technological development to further enhance the country’s global narrative.

On his part, Babis Kourtzis, CEO of Exclusivi, added that the tourism industry must adopt modern technologies to provide simple, efficient solutions for both businesses and customers. He noted the sector’s shift from hesitation to rapid adoption of digital tools, which are now being sought after to upgrade tourism businesses.

The Economic Conference of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association (EENE) is an annual event organized by the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association, aimed at fostering dialogue and discussing key economic issues facing Greece. The conference brings together business leaders, policymakers, economists, and other stakeholders to explore challenges and opportunities related to Greece’s economy, such as industrial growth, digital transformation, competitiveness, and labor skills development.

The EENE’s 8th economic conference took place at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens.