New Faces: Konstantinos Sviriadis, Partner at ‘SWOT | Simple Way Of Tourism’

“New Faces” is a column by GTP that introduces the young professionals of the Greek tourism industry. In each column, the Greek professionals refer to issues related to their profession, the travel & tourism sector and Greece as a destination.

Konstantinos Sviriadis

“Whether it is the islands or the mainland, culture, history, naturism or luxury; Greece can cater to all. Explore it and pass on the message!”

Business: SWOT | Simple Way of Tourism 
Location: Athens

Konstantinos was born in Athens in 1986 and raised in a family with deep roots in the hospitality industry. He graduated from Moraitis School and the Technological Educational University of Athens, where he studied Tourism & Hospitality Management. Konstantinos began his career in the hotel business working in several hotels as well as departments, thus obtaining significant, hands-on experience. In 2014 he joined SWOT | Simple Way Of Tourism, a rising hospitality management company, where he continues to this day as a Partner in the company and as the Project Manager of the Business Travel Professionals Forum & the Small Lodgings of Greece Forum, that are organized successfully by SWOT.

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

The best thing about my profession is that I don’t perceive it as a job. I love what I do and every day in the hospitality industry is different and exciting. Being a member of SWOT | Simple Way Of Tourism allows me to help the hotels we cooperate with, to improve their services and develop their sales; this is a source of great pleasure for me. Our philosophy is customer service oriented and we are happy only when our clients and their clients are satisfied by the services provided.

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

Challenges are an inalienable part of our professional and personal lives. By taking this into account and facing these challenges daily allows me to grow stronger, wiser and more experienced. I still have a long way to go and many challenges ahead to reach a desired level of experience in my career. Therefore… challenge accepted!

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

I believe a top priority should be shaking off the unfortunate image we have created historically as a strictly summer destination. This has limited us to a seasonal cycle, yielding lower gains for the sector and therefore we are not unlocking Greece’s full potential as a destination. Additionally, the lack of proper education and specialization in the hospitality industry coupled with the lack of infrastructure is a serious impediment to our growth as a destination. This is the reason why SWOT | Simple Way Of Tourism was created, recognizing the market’s need for professional representation and specialization in the tourism sector.

• 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?)

Due to family origin, i would have to say that my region is Andros,  a stunning island that keeps on surprising me as I constantly discover new “secrets”. This island is barely known abroad and few have visited its vast variety of landscapes, beaches, mountains, streams, rivers, waterfalls and lakes that you can swim in and feel fresh during the summer heat or explore through its well mapped footpaths in the spring and autumn. It is a Cycladic island different from the rest and I highly recommend it! It is so good I almost feel bad telling you about it. It is so good that the locals are trying to keep it a “secret”!

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

All these years that I serve the hospitality industry I am trying to pass on the message that Greece is a beautiful country blessed with all the advantages that make a great tourism destination; amazing all year round and from one corner to another. It has something to suit every visitor profile, thus making it a “done deal” for all. Whether it is the islands or the mainland, culture, history, naturism or luxury; Greece can cater to all. Explore it and pass on the message!

• What are your plans for the future?

My long-term plans alongside with SWOT are to try and improve the services, the professionalism and the expertise in the Greek hospitality industry through our cooperations and partnerships. We will not rest until we have done everything we can towards the direction of bringing Greece in its well-deserved position as an all year-round destination. An excellent example of these efforts is our immediate future plans and the organization of the 5^th Business Travel Professionals Forum, which will take place on November 1 at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, organized by SWOT.

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

Again, like the hospitality industry, I would have to choose something that I love and I don’t perceive as a job. My other great passion, besides hotels, is football and sports in general. Therefore, I guess that I would have pursued to dedicate myself within the sports industry, because doing what you love is the ultimate goal!

Connect with Konstantinos Sviriadis on LinkedIn