Sani/Ikos Group Receives Two ‘Best Hotel to Work In’ Gold Distinctions
The Sani/Ikos Group received a double Gold distinction for its resorts, Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts, which were both recognized in the new category of “Best Hotel to Work in” at the Greek Hotel of the Year 2024 awards.
Organized for the fifth consecutive year by the Boussias Communications group, the event honors many different types of accommodation facilities for the prime hospitality experiences they offer guests.
The “Best Hotel to Work in” category was introduced this year to highlight best practices in people management and human resources development in the tourism sector.
“Our 7,000 employees, of which 5,500 in Greece, crafting unique experiences for visitors always with respect for local communities and the environment, are the heart and driving force behind the Sani/Ikos Group’s unparalleled hospitality, which is why we continuously invest in the professional, and personal development and the growth of all our teams,” said Juan de Hoces during the awards ceremony.
According to Sani/Ikos Group, over 60 percent of the employees working in Greece come from local labor markets.
Sani/Ikos Group’s commitment to responsible governance is a key pillar of its business strategy at both Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts. The Group has developed a series of programs and initiatives aimed at education, personal empowerment, and rewarding employees, while salary packages, benefits, and perks (e.g., accommodation, meals, transportation) offered to staff are upgraded annually. At Sani/Ikos Group resorts, employees enjoy a healthy and safe working environment that values diversity, fosters innovation and encourages change.
To ensure continuous learning and development, the Group has introduced the Sani/Ikos Group eLearning Platform, providing a personal “learning path” where all employees can undergo induction and training tailored to their individual role, through state-of-the-art asynchronous teaching methods.
Moreover, employees are rewarded through the Sani/Ikos Group Recognition & Appreciation Scheme for promoting Group values and delivering exceptional hospitality, with nearly 80 percent of guests at Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts acknowledging that the staff exceeds their expectations (according to surveys and questionnaires addressed to all Sani/Ikos Group guests).
In addition, the Group has developed additional tools for employee development and empowerment, such as the annual educational program “The Masterclass Series” held annually before the opening of the tourist season and now in its fourth consecutive year, having already covered 74 thematic areas and over 60,000 training hours; the “Meet your Workplace” editions; the “Onboarding Buddy Program” for permanent staff; the Train the Operational Trainer training sessions; and other targeted practical and academic training programs.
Promoting know-how exchange, teamwork, and open communication, the Group provides all employees access to the dynamic communication platform, Viva Engage, where they can connect through communities and discussions. Additionally, the Sani/Ikos Group Intranet serves as a hub for employees to access information, documents, and useful tools for their work.
In 2023, in collaboration with the Educational Group AKMI, the Sani/Ikos Group launched the innovative educational programme “Hospitality Forward” to meet the growing demand for skilled personnel in the hospitality sector, one of Greece’s fastest-growing industries. Through the program, now in its second year, the Group offers students a full study grant and employment contracts from the first semester of their studies.
The Sani/Ikos Group is an innovative and fast-growing group of luxury resorts in unique beachfront locations in the Mediterranean. Under the brand names Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts, the Group develops, owns and operates over 3,450 rooms and suites spread across 12 unique resorts in Greece and Spain.