Optimism Prevails At Greek Hotel Chamber’s 3rd General Assembly

“Last year proved that tourism is Greece’s main economic activity and main employment provider,” the president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Yiorgos Tsakiris, said during the chamber’s third general assembly on Friday 7 February at the Metropolitan Expo.

Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Yiorgos Tsakiris

Some 1,300 hoteliers from all over Greece and many representatives of the Greek Government attended the hotel chamber’s third general assembly.

Mr. Tsakiris announced that finalized data from the Bank of Greece is expected to show that last year the Greek tourism sector recorded some 17.9 million arrivals and collected some 11.9 billion euros in direct revenue. The data will be finalized once processed by the Documentation Center For Greek Tourism (launched by the chamber).

He noted that Greece can achieve further growth this year as long as the country maintains political stability and a good image to key markets abroad.

Further into his speech, the chamber’s president presented five intervention axes that can give momentum to Greek tourism and Greek hoteliers:

– Enriching the tourism product with new themes and profitable forms of tourism.
– Upgrading the offered hotel services.
– Supporting Greek hotels and other lodges.
– Determining the tourism development model.
– Investing resources for the country’s promotion.

Kefalogianni: We aim for a powerful tourism product

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

On her part, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni announced that the Tourism Ministry is planning a package of legislative measures that aim to extend the tourism season and increase revenue.

“We will table a plan that will change the licensing process and technical requirements for accommodation units,” the tourism minister informed.

Mrs. Kefalogianni said the ministry’s “only concern” is to continuously strengthen the tourism product for it to remain modern, flexible and powerful.

She also called for hoteliers to respect labor legislation and to join the battle against illegal and undeclared work.

The 3rd General Assembly of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels took place once again on the sidelines of the International Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe Show HORECA exhibition.