A visionary dialogue on Tourism and Hospitality Trends
The Greece Talks conference, held on November 29, 2024, at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, was a resounding success. Organized by Travel.gr and Proto Thema Group, the event brought together distinguished leaders in tourism and hospitality to explore the theme "Identity, Future & the Traveler." The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Fotis Tsimelas , Chief Product Officer for Proto Thema, and Androniki Kolovou , Director of Travel.gr, who highlighted the critical role of collaboration in shaping the future of Greek tourism.
The program featured a diverse array of panels and fireside chats with prominent speakers, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Charles Forte , Development Director of Rocco Forte Hotels , Agapi Sbokou , CEO of Phāea Resorts and Vice President at SETE and Marketing Greece S.A , and Markos Chaidemenos , Managing Director of Canaves Collection . Topics ranged from the future of Greek tourism and global hospitality trends to sustainability, innovation, and the redefinition of the hotel experience. A special presentation by McKinsey & Company provided a global perspective on tourism's evolving landscape.
Prime Minister's fireside chat: Vision for Tourism
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined Andrew Tuck , Editor-in-Chief of Monocle magazine, in an engaging discussion about the direction of Greek tourism. The Prime Minister celebrated Greece’s remarkable tourism performance, with over 35 million visitors and revenues surpassing €20 billion in 2024. He emphasized the importance of ensuring visitor satisfaction while maintaining balance with local community needs, remarking that "local communities understand that tourism is vital to the local economy."
Insights from Charles Forte: A dialogue with Kostas Panagakis
In a fireside chat session moderated by Kostas Panagakis , Principal of Travelworks Public Relations , Charles Forte , Development Director of Rocco Forte Hotels , shared his expert perspective on the evolution of luxury hospitality. He underlined the significance of tailored guest experiences and the seamless incorporation of local culture into hotel offerings, stating that "authenticity and attention to detail are paramount in creating memorable stays for guests."
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Conceiving the future hotel experience
The panel "Conceiving the Future Hotel Experience" featured Agapi Sbokou , CEO of Phāea Resorts, Vice President at SETE, and Vice President at Marketing Greece; Markos Chaidemenos , Managing Director of Canaves Collection; Andreas Fiorentinos , Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organisation and Alexandros Vassilikos , President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels & HOTREC. The discussion centered on redefining the hotel experience in a rapidly evolving tourism landscape. The panelists emphasized the importance of sustainability, innovation, and workforce development.
McKinsey: Global insights for tourism's future
McKinsey’s Ιvan Gladstone delivered a thought-provoking presentation focusing on global tourism trends. The analysis covered themes such as technological advancement, infrastructure improvement, and market shifts, offering a valuable perspective on the future of the sector. While the insights were global in scope, they provided essential considerations for addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the tourism industry worldwide.
The Greece Talks conference succeeded in fostering meaningful dialogue and exchanging innovative ideas, reaffirming its role as a pivotal platform for the advancement of the tourism industry. For more details on the full set of panels and presentations, follow the link and delve into the content related to the Greece Talks conference.
Newsletter Credits
Content curation by Kostas Panagakis, Dimitra Moraiti & Katerina Fotopoulou | Words by Wendi C. | Photos by Proto Thema Group