What is authenticity in hospitality all about?Authenticity lies in simplicity and, in our case, in traditional
Greek hospitality. The Greeks are famous for their hospitality.
We find authenticity in the simplest everyday things which
we tend to forget. It starts with «good morning» to a passer-
by, our generosity, even our flavours, the music and the
enchanting landscapes. Obviously, we need to evolve and
keep track of current trends and developments that change
with the changing demands of our customers. Yet, we should
not disconnect Greek hospitality from its «Greekness».
On the contrary, we need to enrich it with health services,
modern dietary trends, and a focus on our competitive
advantages, that can easily disappear amidst the effects of
mass culture and globalisation on the tourism product. It all
has to be there, but it should all be there in the Greek way,
modernized and competitive. Having said that, no matter
what we do, we are now very expensive, not in terms of
prices, but in terms of cost!You have been awarded as a distinguished personality of the Greek
tourism industry for your contribution and activity in the industry
and in the country’s business scene. What are you most proud of?I think the greatest reward comes when the business
ventures mature in the way they perceive their role in society;
their role in relation to the environment and the economy. I
have come to realise that businesses think of the Hospitality
Economy as the largest business ecosystem of Greece
and as the most viable model of a business ecosystem in
our country. Each business views the role of the industry
it belong to as part of a chain that feeds and is fed by the
rest, and this becomes apparent when one looks at the
contribution to employment and the wider economy, where
the industry functions as an obvious multiplier, mainly
locally. Setting aside taxes and profitability, by recognizing
their connection to the hospitality industry, businesses also
recognize their utmost responsibility to support people and
society, and to try to reduce their environmental footprint.
That is the bounty I wish to hand down to the next generation,
and the impact I wish to have on my contemporaries. It is my
goal to inspire people and lead the way, as long as my vision
is meaningful and clear. My team has always been a source
of inspiration. I never feel alone.AUTHENTICITY LIES IN SIMPLICITY AND, IN OUR CASE,
IN TRADITIONAL GREEK HOSPITALITY