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Young Face of the Week: Kostas Gkogkos – Owner of Hotel Amfithea, Ioannina

GTP has launched a new weekly column that will introduce the young professionals in the Greek hospitality industry. Every week, a young Greek entrepreneur will refer to issues related to their profession, the travel & tourism sector and Greece as a destination.

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Kostas Gkogkos

Region of origin: Perama, Ioannina
Company: Hotel Amfithea

As owner and manager of the family business in Perama of Ioannina, Kostas Gkogkos every day deals with various aspects of the day-to-day running of a hotel and managing its staff. His priorities include offering excellent value for money to the guests of Hotel Amfithea and he always looks for an opportunity to go that extra mile for them. His goal? Kostas tells us that he and his staff are there to offer a “unique experience” and “excellent service” to ensure that they will have repeat guests. Besides his main occupation as hotel owner/manager, since the beginning of the year he has been dealing with the local community of Perama as president of the municipality. “I am the youngest president and I am supporting the local companies and actions to promote my city and destination,” he says. In the low season he deals with the other half of the family business — a silverware/jewelry workshop — and assists with sales and production growth.

  • What are the things you like best about your job and how would you describe your hospitality and tourism management philosophy?

The thing I like best about my job is the communication I have with people from different places in the world and the fact that I can share with them their ideas about hospitality and culture. My hospitality and tourism management philosophy focuses on being friendly and dialectic and offering quality services.

  • Have you had to face any challenges in your career to get to where you are today?

There are many difficulties and there always will be in this profession. What is positive is that through the difficulties I gained experience, patience and motivation to achieve my short and long term goals.

  • In regards to hospitality, where do you think Greece needs to improve the most?

I think Greece should focus on its huge variety of alternative tourism. There are many towns and islands in Greece where you have the opportunity to come closer to the domestic culture and participate in the production of their domestic products.

  • What is your region’s best kept “secret”?  (In other words, what shouldn’t be a secret in your opinion and should be promoted more abroad?)

Winter tourism should definitely be promoted. Greece and especially Epirus – Ioannina, has many picturesque villages and towns where tourists have the opportunity to see beautiful mountains and nature and also experience different kinds of sports such as rafting, canoeing & kayaking and parasailing.

  • If you could pass on a message to the global hospitality and tourism industry about Greece, what would it be?

Greece is a country full of sensations!!!

  • What are your plans for the future?

My plans are to evolve my product — Hotel Amfithea — through state of the art renovation, increase my personal knowledge on new technologies and media and invest in my personnel to boost customer service and satisfaction.

  • If you didn’t work in the hospitality industry where would you be?

My passion and hobby is fast cars and driving. So besides the hospitality industry, I would have followed a career of a professional racecar driver.

Connect with Kostas Gkogkos on LinkedIn

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  1. Avgoustinos SOURIDIS Reply

    I absolutely agree with your points of view dear Kostas. More and more the travelers seek for unique experiences and with your hard work and your team’s support you will be able to offer them. I am also confident that you will achieve both your short and long-term goals.

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