Greek Hotel Chamber and Phocuswright Announce Strategic Partnership

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels on Wednesday announced that it is joining forces with Phocuswright, a leading global tourism industry research company, for its upcoming 4th International Hospitality Forum.

Organized annually in Athens since 2017 at the Xenia expo, the chamber’s forum this year will be held as a virtual event, due to the restrictive measures taken against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, on November 23.

“I would like to announce the 4th International Hospitality Forum and our strategic partnership with Phocuswright, a world leader in primary hospitality research,” Hellenic Chamber of Hotels Chamber Alexandros Vassilikos said during a virtual press conference.

Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Alexandros Vassilikos at last year’s International Hospitality Forum. Photo source: ihf.gr

The chamber’s hospitality forum will see Phocuswright’s presence for the third time, but this year as a strategic partner.

“Through this partnership we want to bring our full support to the hospitality industry in Greece by reinforcing our cooperation year after year and especially through this very challenging time. Our main objective is to support the recovery of the Greek tourism industry, a key pillar of Greece’s economy and society,” Phocuswright Managing Director Peter Comeau said.

At the 4th International Hospitality Forum, Phocuswright will present and discuss its global survey of future travel trends and traveler choices.

Phocuswright Managing Director Peter Comeau. Photo source: Phocuswright

“Our strong experience delivering high quality onsite and virtual events around the globe will enable us to produce a critical event for the Greek tourism industry and bring some international expertise to this high quality and well attended event,” Comeau added.

The forum will take place through the innovative digital platform Swapcard, which gives delegates the opportunity to actively participate from anywhere in the world and ask questions, schedule One-to-One calls, browse the digital booths of sponsors and attend the panel discussions in real time.

As Phocuswright’s managing director underlined, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels made the difficult decision to move its event online this year, with a main objective of “keeping the entire industry together” despite the barriers and regulations we are all facing right now due to Covid-19.

“At Phocuswright we know how networking is key to your success, how important it is to meet, speak and share initiatives and experiences so that we can all grow together and stronger out of this crisis. The 4th International Hospitality Forum will enable you to keep on top of industry trends, understand what other players are doing and keep you connected with our industry,” Comeau said.

The 4th International Hospitality Forum will also host two thematic panels on sustainability and the impact of Covid-19 on tourism and a high level interview of a global tourism brand’s CEO.

According to Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Alexandros Vassilikos, the forum will present scientifically substantiated proposals to the State in order to bring hospitality’s recovery as close as possible.

“In the most difficult period of its modern history, the hotel industry is facing the great double challenge of survival and going forward… Knowledge is our shield against threats and dangers today but also our compass for tomorrow’s successes. This is exactly the role of the 4th International Hospitality Forum,” Vassilikos said.

Details on the 4th International Hospitality Forum are expected to be announced soon.

The gold sponsor of the 4th International Hospitality Forum is FORUM SA, organizer of the Xenia exhibitions.