As we go through an era of unprecedented challenges for the Greek tourism, it is extremely important for all parties involved in the tourism chain, to invest in infrastructure excellence, flawless customer service, value for money services and joint, harmonised forces, as all of them are critical components towards sustainability, competitiveness and future development.
Everyone involved in the Greek tourism industry, cannot but admit, that the recent Covid-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact in all businesses across the tourism sector, while the recovery process is going to last long and be harsh as well. Moreover, there is no doubt that the competition from other international destinations will become even more intense the years to come, since each single destination will go into battle aiming at getting back –at least– its pro-pandemic market share.
Thus, the current circumstances dictate more than ever the formation of a long-term tourism strategy targeting tourism product’ competitiveness, with a clear-cut, long-term vision but also attainable short-term targets.
There is no doubt that the creation of a competitive product requires the provision of high-end, customer-oriented services in order to meet the ever-increasing needs of travelers, who are now, more easily than ever, able to choose among a big range of destinations. The upgrade and modernization of the infrastructure, the enrichment and diversification of the tourist product, the high quality of tourist services and certainly the sense of security are indispensable prerequisites of the attractiveness of Greece as a tourist destination and any development from now onwards will be based on the aforementioned conditions.
With regards to Fraport Greece, 2021 is marked by the delivery to the worldwide travellers of 14 brand new, and passenger- friendly airports. Fraport Greece’s innovative half billion investment has significantly transformed these airports in accordance with internationals standards and practices. Three months ahead of schedule, Fraport Greece has completed a major 4-year infrastructure development program that upgrades country’s image and enhances the hospitality element of the Greek tourist product. Airports are gateways to the country for the vast majority of tourists visiting Greece and undoubtedly constitute the first and last impression that our country gives to them.
Focusing on excellent travel experience, safety and functionality, Fraport Greece is committed to work, in close cooperation with all stakeholders, towards the recovery from the recent pandemic, having as target the increase of passenger throughput at all 14 airports, the attraction of new airlines and routes and the development of commercial spaces in line with the highest international standards.
Concluding, we firmly believe that the combination of upgraded public and private infrastructure, modern and user- friendly facilities, high-end services, tourism product’s modernization and diversification and synergies among key industry players are prerequisites for increasing Greece’s competitiveness in the global tourism arena.
Greece deserves a leading and sustainable position as tourist destination and we feel responsible to serve and contribute to the attainment of this goal.
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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.
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).