The need for a more holistic approach to the concept of quality in Greek tourism was underlined by the President of the Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation, Yiannis Hatzis, in an interview with Kathimerini on Sunday.
As he noted, “upgrading the quality of the Greek tourism product is necessary, but it should not be identified exclusively with the higher classification categories. Quality runs horizontally across all levels of accommodation and is related to the experience, authenticity, hospitality, and the sense of care that the visitor receives,” as he explains
Mr. Hatzis focused particularly on the important role played by small and very small family businesses, mainly in areas outside popular destinations, stating the following: “The country’s greatest development reserve lies in the network of these units,” he stressed, adding that their contribution is crucial for employment, social cohesion, and local economic activity.
However, he also pointed out the challenges, noting that “the modernization of these businesses and their access to appropriate financial tools are essential prerequisites for sustainable tourism development. At the same time, the State must establish a fair regulatory framework, especially with regard to unfair competition from short-term rentals, which undermines the operation of these hotels.”
