With the presence of hoteliers from all over Greece was held the 5th IHF
The main drivers and trends which will define the next day of tourism and hospitality in Greece and in the world, in the post-Covid 19 era, were presented at the international forum organized by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels powered by Phocuswright, the global leader in primary market research for the hospitality industry.
The leading dialogue and knowledge platform for the hospitality industry in Greece was back on Saturday November 27th, 2021, as a hybrid event, at Metropolitan Expo as part of the XENIA trade show 2021.
Mr. Alexandros Vassilikos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.
Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Tourism
Consumer drivers in a renewed travel market and the way these are answered through the marketing and sales departments of hotels along with the leading role of sustainability on the future of tourism, were among the key topics of the forum’s agenda, sponsored by XENIA trade show for the 5th year in a row.
Building upon the success of the past 4 consecutive events, the International Hospitality Forum, had once more secured top-level speakers, including top global hotel brands, recognized tourism sector consultancies and industry influencers.
Linda Fox, Anne Daviaud-Grandjean, Andreas Metaxas, Philip Halanen, Peter Reelfs
A large number of hoteliers were present during the forum
Interesting discussion panels
Τhe Forum started with the opening speeches of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels’ President, Alexandros Vassilikos and Greece’s tourism minister, Vassilis Kikilias, who underlined that 2022 should be a landmark year for the Greek Tourism.
This year’s Hospitality Forum featured a very important Research Presentation, “Drivers of customer satisfaction in a renewed travel market”, introduced by Peter O’Connor | Senior Market Analyst, Phocuswright. The research, with the participation of 4.000 people in 5 european countries (U.K., Spain, Italy, Germany and France) showcased what the modern traveler demands in search of destination: Value for money hotel, superior customer service and eco – friendly accomodation.
Soon after this presentation, the first discussion panel, moderated by Christina Polo | Market Analyst, EMEA, focused on the subject “Hotel Recovery: Revolutionizing hotel marketing, distribution, and operations», with the participation of Leon Avidag, Founder Brown Hotels, Darren Blanchard, Business Development Manager – PKF, Alan Mantin, Managing Director Development Southern Europe – Hilton και Andrew Sangster, Financial Journalist and Hotel Analyst. Their common conclusion? Sustainability, locality, contactless check in and winter Tourism will have a key role in the development of the Greek Tourism.
The second panel of the day “Hotel reinvented: Making sustainability top of the agenda” was moderated by Linda Fox | Senior Europe Reporter and presented the opinions on this subject of Anne Daviaud-Grandjean, Founder of Blue Pineapple Tourism, Green Globe Label Auditor, Philip Halanen, Head of Sourcing & Sustainability – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA, Andreas Metaxas, CEO Metaxa Hospitality Group and Peter Reelfs, Founder & Owner of Northflash.
The forum was completed with an executive interview among the President of HCH in conversation with Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor. The discussion showcased the importance of physical communication and training in the hospitality sector.