Tourism is currently the fastest-growing sector in the Greek economy, but this growth is accompanied by a silent and steadily increasing challenge: work-related accidents. According to data from OSETEE (Greek Federation of Tourism Enterprises), tourism has now moved to third place in terms of work accidents in Greece, following the agriculture and construction sectors. This highlights the urgent need for substantial compliance and professional organization.
Dr. Andreas Stoimenidis, President of the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work, Secretary of Health and Safety at the GSEE, and President of OSETEE, states in an interview with Tornos News, “The tourism sector, as the most developed of the Greek economy, according to OSETEE’s research, now follows agriculture and construction in recording work-related accidents.” He emphasizes that the increasing temperatures due to climate change, the employment of older workers, as well as those coming from third countries, and long working hours, create a high-risk environment for tourism businesses.
Health and Safety at Work involves specific best practices. These include risk assessments, staff training, use of personal protective equipment, written evacuation plans, and cooperation with Safety Technicians and Occupational Physicians, all of which are essential. Dr. Stoimenidis explains, “Adapting work to environmental conditions, training employees, writing up job-specific risk assessments, and fostering collaboration between businesses and employee representatives will yield immediate results.”
In the hotel sector, these practices are directly linked to service quality and the reputation of a unit. A safe work environment reduces absenteeism, minimizes staff turnover, and ensures a steady level of service even during peak months. Organization is not only about compliance but also about the guest experience and the sustainability of operations.
Health and safety must be treated as a core pillar of corporate governance and social responsibility. The more these practices are integrated into the daily operations of hotels, the more competitive the image of Greek tourism will be in the future.
