THE PANDEMIC PERMANENTLY CHANGED TRAVEL & TOURISM AS WE KNEW IT
Working towards a new tourism model based on sustainability, investments and digitalization.Throughout the long history of Greek tourism, a series of smaller or larger crises have affected its long-term dynamic, yet never such extraordinary occasions like the pandemic, have interrupted its constant progression and development.2020 was an unprecedented year, as it was the worst year for global tourism, bearing no comparison to any other. According to the latest figures from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international arrivals in Greece went down by 74% vs 2019, while destinations worldwide received 1.1 billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in the previous year, due to the vast decline in demand and extensive travel restrictions.
Inevitably Greece did not remain unaffected since it recorded a decrease of 76.5%, recording 7.4 million arrivals, compared to 31.3 million in 2019. But the crisis also marked a positive impact. Greece has been ranked as the fifth best tourism brand in 2020, according to the Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index (NBI), which reveals the consumers’ level of interest in visiting a country and the draw of natural and man-made tourist attractions. As Anholt quotes “since a powerful and positive ‘brand image feeds directly into more tourism, more trade, more talent and more investment, such considerations should be right at the top of any government’s economic planning”. The aforementioned success, was the result of the successful strategy followed by the close partnership of the private and public sector, which resulted to the soft re-opening of the Greek travel industry, with safety, professionalism and strict protocols
This crisis constitutes an opportunity for the sector to transform and become more resilient, broad, and sustainable. Although the current situation has made tourism sector extremely vulnerable, at the same it is a unique occasion to draft plans and actions that will be the basis for the new tourism era. Is a given that tourism represents development opportunities, promotes solidarity and understanding beyond borders, while domestic tourism also helps to foster cohesion within nations.
The change of the tourist model with all these new products, sounds more realistic for several destinations, but at the same time, it presupposes timely actions and risk-taking by the private sector in principle. In the short term, domestic and regional holidays, as well as rural- outdoor travelling, are expected to dominate. Travelers will prefer to go in smaller groups, choosing more secluded areas, while the security of each destination will significantly influence their decisions. International travelers will be very interested in all these parameters of sustainable relationship of tourism with the environment and the local community, while at the same time the way they travel, seems to change.
It’s the right time for the tourism sector around the world to seize the opportunity and proceed with substantial changes that will transform the world and make a difference for future generations. It is the time to build a better tourism product, with authenticity, moderation and aesthetics. This implies long-term and holistic thinking with regards to the challenges of our world, and thus connect with the need for transition towards a more sustainable tourism model based on social inclusion and the protection of the environment.
Our main focus and where we should set as our priority from now on, are key elements that are already part of our tourism product like authenticity, sustainability, human element, nature, local experiences, culture, gastronomy and engaging with local communities in a safe and respectful way. All of the above are becoming more important concepts than before the pandemic, while provide a substantial advantage to the country’s tourism product, as the constitute an integral part of the Greek hospitality. Another crucial element is the need for the tourism industry to adapt to new technologies to improve customer experience and increase its competitiveness, as the way visitors make decisions has changed and we can no longer rely on meeting the visitor where they are simply accessing information. The need for digital transformation is dominant, while leveraging digital excellence has never been more important.
The multi-dimensional nature of the tourism sector needs to move towards and adopt to the innovative and challenging business after COVID-19 environment. Today onwards there will be an increasing demand for transparency regarding health protocols, safety, data and security during the travels and at final destinations.
Therefore, a significant level of investment will be required to support increasing traveler volumes and changing consumer behaviors. This will create several investment opportunities from traditional investments like accommodation infrastructure to flexible infrastructure like digital solutions and support services around experiences and sustainability in a post COVID-19 reality.
Provided that all of the country’s productive sectors work jointly, Greece will be enabled to successfully building a modern, interconnected and sustainable development model, and thus grasp business opportunities and create value chains and networking. The country’s tourism sector is “present” in order reinforce the future of the national economy, as well as of the entire country.
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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).
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.
Experienced Strategic Marketing & Communications professional with a proven track record of developing successful marketing campaigns & corporate communication plans,, brand building, driving digital transformation and delivering measurable business growth. Her academic background in Economics, Marketing & Digital coupled with 25 years of experience in the services industry in SE Europe, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all customer touch points. As a seasoned marketer, with multidisciplinary corporate background in Banking, Hospitality & Technology, she specialises in developing and executing strategy & comprehensive marketing plans that help companies reach their business goals.
Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for innovation and a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends. Her ability to think both creatively and strategically combined with deep customer-centric knowledge delivers the highest standards of services from startups to listed companies & multinational brands.
Graduating with distinction from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Nephelie demonstrated an early passion for numbers and analytical thinking. What sets Nephelie apart is her unwavering commitment to merging her financial skills with technology.
She embarked on a journey into Android development, driven by a curiosity to leverage technology for financial empowerment. Through dedication and hard work, she not only mastered programming languages such as Java and Kotlin but also developed a deep understanding of mobile app development.
Her remarkable accomplishments in Android development were further underscored by the acquisition of four highly competitive scholarships during her academic journey. As a financial analyst with a remarkable track record in Android development, Nephelie embodies the perfect blend of analytical precision and technological innovation. With a history of scholarship recognition and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in every combined field.
Konstantinos studied Economics at the University of Piraeus, and has a finance and accounting professional background with seven years of experience in the industry.
He perfectly deals with financial management and reporting, and handles the financial operations of DHR Services, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting.
He works closely with the senior management team to develop and implement strategic financial plans to drive growth and profitability.
Helen works in Marketing field for 18y, in multinational companies, handling brands not only in Greece, but also in European countries, like Cyprus and Malta. She was responsible to increase brand awareness, market share and finally sales of many famous brands, which lead to be no1 in their industry.
She handles marketing plans for all 7 properties of Domotel Hotels & Resorts, in online and offline media, aiming to increase brand awareness for target groups not only in Greek market, but abroad as well.
She constantly studies competition, promotes facilities, and provides actions to build strong customer relationships.
In charge of optimizing online presence and distribution and improving the hotels’ online performance of Domotel Hotels and Resorts, Minas is a highly motivated and hardworking professional with more than 20 years of experience in various sectors of the tourism industry specializing in the ecommerce & online media channels.
Creative personality with innovative ideas and a “can do” attitude.
Able to meet deadlines in a professional and timely manner.
Matina has 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in some of the biggest hotel chains in Greece (Grecotel Hotels & Resorts) as well as worldwide chain, (Accor Hotels) in different managerial roles in Reservations, Banquet and Sales in diverse types of hotels (resorts, city and airport hotels).
She has participated in new hotel openings and numerous hospitality events.
Currently, she handles the corporate sales for all 7 properties of Domotel Hotels & Resorts as well as the New Business Development.
She constantly builds relationships with corporate clients and collaborates closely with Reservations, Banquet Department and Senior Management aiming to increase sales and ensure excellent customer service.
With over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Foteini has honed her expertise in revenue management, guest satisfaction, and strategic planning.
Most of her professional journey was dedicated to one of the biggest international hotel chains, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, where she contributed for more than a decade in various capacities.
Part of her current duties is to maximize profitability by defining the pricing strategies and react quickly and decisively to demand patterns.
She participates in every hotel opening, and she is also responsible for the room revenue forecasting and budgeting.
She studied Civil Engineering in the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, and then obtained a Master of Science Degree in Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics at Imperial College of Science & Medicine in London.
Fifteen years ago, she was the co-founder of PMA Engineering, a new design company in Greece. She was responsible for the quality assessment and management of the company, the staff training and appraisal, as well as the implementation and management of ISO 9001: 2008.
She moved to the field of HR, driven by her passion to work with people and helping them reach their full potential. During her career in Domotel Hotels & Resorts, she introduced a data-driven and analytical approach to HR strategy and implemented an innovative training and development programs to help employees grow and thrive.
She works closely with teams across properties, ensuring that employees fit perfect to their roles and that HR policies and procedures align with business.
Manolis is a C-level executive with 28 years of experience in roles of high responsibility in the hospitality sector, to include Managing Director of Chandris Hotels & Resorts, oversaw five hotels, Board Member of SETE (Greek Tourism Confederation), Member of the External Advisory Board of University of the Aegean, Project Director for the renovation and opening new hotels and Executive Consultant of SGS, a leading multinational certification company in Greece, for the establishment and development of the Hospitality Department.
Skilled in handling complex daily business operations, setting strategic policies and parameters that drive operational efficiency, coordinating staff and creating productive working environments, designing advanced business process improvement plans and profit analysis reporting systems which improve procedures, business performance and bottom-line profits.
He is graduated from the Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece (former ASOEE), holds an MBA from the University of Wales, Cardiff Business School, and an MSc in Hotels Operations from the Institute of Higher Education, Glion, Switzerland. He was a champion and member of the Greek National Athletics Team in 100-200-4x100m.
Appointed General Manager for numerous global hotel brands and possess a deep understanding of hospitality and tourism industry, both in Greece and abroad.
He has been working for some of the biggest international hotel chains in the world, like Hilton Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group in Greece, while he has working experience in the market of UAE, at Rotana Hotels & Resorts & at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel.
Being an Asset Manager for the ex-Ionian Hotel Enterprises SA Subsidiary of Alpha Bank, he successfully oversaw the total reconstruction and reopening of Hilton Athens.
Yiannis has served General Manager roles at Melia Hotels International for Dubai and Athens, while prior to that, he oversaw 5 properties owned and managed by Grecotel Hotels & Resorts.
Dakis is a seasoned IT expert with a wealth of knowledge and experience in hotel IT systems.
With over 25 years of hands-on experience in the industry, Dakis has developed a reputation as a trusted IT and reliable expert in hotel IT solutions. He is passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry.
He has a deep understanding for hotel property management systems, while provides secure solutions and constant support, ensuring that properties can operate at peak efficiency.
His working experience includes airline companies, logistics, IT companies and software houses, small boutique hotels to large international hotel chains.