George Polyzos | DHR Services

The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in numerous socio-cultural, economic and psychological impacts on various tourism stakeholders – consequences of which will remain. The (covid) crisis presents one of the most challenging environments ever seen for Tourism professionals & investors, an environment with events described as “unprecedented” & “once in a lifetime”. But despite the unique challenges the current situation presents, the industry players still need to invest; from the smallest to the biggest tour operator, hotelier, Governments & private investors themselves.

The hospitality and tourism industry for a long time have been characterized as global growth industries though the pandemic has made the industry aware that there are certain limitations to this growth model. It is a unique chance to ask whether the current business portfolio is adapted to future travel needs, increased safety regulations and growing environmental concerns. Digital components will definitely play a significant role in the future, allowing for virtual closer proximity to the customer and an increase in the service experience for guests. Authenticity, technology and creativity will become important competitive aspects that will shape and influence future hospitality concepts.

Investment and financing will be an essential part of this & the possibilities are wide-ranging, including public and private investment in low carbon transport options, the construction of resource efficient tourism infrastructure, as well as initiatives to support innovation, promote the adoption of responsible business practices and encourage the integration of tourism businesses into low carbon and sustainable tourism supply chains.

So with growth expected to return in global tourism once we’ve overcome the crisis, significant investment will be required to provide the accommodation, transport and other tourism-related services and infrastructure necessary to meet expected demand, while enhancing economic, social and environmental outcome.

This will require an integrated approach across many departments (e.g. transport, environment, agriculture, innovation, education, tourism) and levels of government (national, regional, local), with input and support from industry. Investment will also be critical in managing this growing tourism in a sustainable manner.

Travel & tourism has been the backbone of economies around the world. It brings in essential currency and inward investment, creates jobs and stimulates every sector, so it’s important that we all understand that tourism investments will allow the industry to develop and expand further in a sustainable way.

Get our white paper free!

WHITE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Send download link to:

CEO

Konstantinos Alexopoulos has been a professional in the Greek hospitality industry for two decades with extensive experience in hotel
management, operation and consulting. He is the CEO of Domotel Hotels & Resorts Group, which has a history of more than 15 years in its current form and a heritage in the hospitality sector which began in 1964. Additionally, he holds the position of CEO at DHR Services,
supporting hospitality brands through his extensive know-how in the industry; both positions are reinforced by his ten years of experience in the construction sector in Greece and the Balkans, which furthered his knowledge of local markets. Having completed his Degree as a Civil Engineer at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, he continued with a Master in Science in “Construction Economics and Management” in UCL and a Master of Arts in Hospitality Management in Middlesex University. Furthermore, he has attended two complementary training programs in finance and management at the University of Macedonia. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greek Tourism Enterprises Confederation (SETE) and the treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Institute of SETE, a member of the Leadership Committee of the Hellenic – American Chamber of Commerce and holds positions in a number of Boards of Directors of other organizations.

Vice President

After completing her Bachelor in Business Administration (Minor in Science and Economy) at the American College of Thessaloniki, she continued with an MBA in Hospitality Marketing at Les Roches School of Hotel Management in Switzerland and a Diploma of Higher Education in International Tourism “The French approach” from the Universite Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne. She has been running the family owned hotel for almost twenty years, initially as an Operations Manager and later on as General Manager and CEO. She has been a member of the Board of Directors in Thessaloniki’s Hotels Association and has participated as a guest speaker in several lectures and seminars such as Yield Managementin Les Roches (Bluche, Switzerland), and Operations Management Principles and Housekeeping Principles in CMH (Paris, France).