Hospitality News

Tourism Development Minister Fanni-Palli Petralia recently signed an agreement for the modification of presidential decree 43 of 2002 that will redefine the prerequisites for the classification of hotels into the star system.

Amirandes is the new six-star luxurious hotel resort of the Grecotel group that recently opened its gates in eastern Crete. The resort is characterized by its unique Minoan identity and covers an area of one hundred acres along the coast.

The Philoxenia tourism awards, that Helexpo began last year, are due to take place once again at the Philoxenia tourism exhibition in November. The most popular Greek destinations will be awarded as will the best Greek hotels, a new category that will be determined and voted for by ‘mystery guests’ that will visit the hotels under the guise of tourists and make notes on the overall services the hotels offer to Greeks and foreigners.

The first phase of the architectural competition for the design of Grandes Bay, the first tourism village at Cavo Sidero, was completed recently, nine months after its launch by the Minoan Group.

Travel Media Applications and the site Stayinagistri.gr anticipate the launch of the online German version in succession of the successful Greek and English version of the site that is already fully operational.

Zakynthos-based Diana Group Hotels recently acquired Hotel Meandros thus 41 additional rooms to the chain. The hotel chain now has a capacity of 800 rooms in total.

Amadeus has signed over 130 major hotel brands to its Best Available Rate program. Hotels that signed up to the program have seen their bookings through Amadeus grow by between 10% and 30%.

Closed for reconstruction since October 2006, Capsis resort hotel complex in Crete has recently opened the gates to its latest creation, the new and unique all-suite hotel in the existing hotel complex. After demolishing almost three quarters of what was previously a convention hotel, it has now been transformed in to a very exclusive and VIP luxurious hotel, entirely different from the old hotel in both form and concept. The hotel and complex now offers 22 multi-function meeting rooms for various types of events, ideal for VIP meetings and exclusive incentives.

Tourism Development Minister Fanni-Palli Petralia recently shut down 41 small and medium-sized hotels for failure to obtain fire safety certificates. Ms. Petralia, who has continuously expressed her desire to “protect the reputation of Greek tourism” took this decision and remains firm on the ministry’s aim to “clean up the landscape in the hotel sector because hotels are the backbone of Greek tourism.”

The Athenaeum InterContinental recently announced they will officially manage the Ethniki Insurance convention center on Syngrou Avenue, which is in close proximity to the hotel. The new convention center has a unique architecture, specially studied and designed by the Italian architect Mario Botta.