Foreign funds are seriously interested in Greek tourism investments, as CEO and General Manager of Astir Palace Vouliagmeni Polychronis Griveas revealed during a conference panel at 2015 Hospitality.next conference held in Athens today.
The placement of international funds, according to Mr.Griveas, will eventually bring about an upgrade of services provided by Greek hotels, since their acquisition by global brands, will allow for improved performance through incorporating practices and performances of the highest calibre.
Long term investment funds
Astir’s CEO adviser clarified that he was referring to long term investment funds, interested in large-capacity business units, rather than distress or speculative funds that “prey” on the weaknesses of the Greek market and are only interested in making a “quick buck”.
As he exclusively revealed to Tornosnews, the aforementioned funds are of a similar scale to the ones that submitted the Astir Palace Hotel purchase proposal and commented that progress in the Astir deal is now up to the State Council (StE) which will rule on the building terms of the hotel’s independent tourism residences. Mr. Griveas also projected an international boom in Hich-tech and Green Hotels.
National strategy
At the same panel, the Executive Director of Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas Panos Almyrantis underlined that Greek tourism should highlight the diversity of its tourist product and promote regional airports flights to the most popular destinations.
Also, Domes of Elounda’s marketing director Giorgos Fassas stressed the need for Greece to invest more in strengthening its internationally recognized brand name and recommended the utilization of modern technologies and social media for maximizing hotel revenues.
All three participants in the panel agreed on the need to draw up a national strategy for Greek tourism, with a 10-year horizon, so that enterprises can shape effective strategies.
The discussion was moderated by journalist Panos Thomakos, director of Tornos News international edition.
