Entrepreneur Panos Paleologos has continued to defy the Greek economic crisis, announcing the addition of eleven new Greek hotel contracts to his hospitality management portfolio because the start of 2013.
Additionally, Paleologos’ company hotelBrain will shortly be marking its move into the center East with the outlet of O’Monot, certainly one of Beirut’s first actual luxury boutique hotels.
Here Breaking Travel News sits right down to discover all of the latest.
Breaking Travel News: How much damage has the industrial crisis done to the Greek hotel market Do you are feeling consumers are staying far from the destination
Panos Paleologos: Consumers are in no way staying away.
As a nation we did see a dip in arrivals, but we’re firmly on an upward curve and the entire evidence means that this may be an extremely solid year for tourism in Greece.
It’s also a good time to return to the rustic with quite a few very competitive deals accessible, and you may receive a warm welcome and a good experience as always.
BTN: Is the location presented within the European media accurate to the placement at the ground Do you’re feeling Greece have been misrepresented
PP: Until now few years there has definitely been some level of misrepresentation of certain aspects of the location.
However, relating to tourism, the wear done by this was temporary and we’re seeing not only recovery, but additionally growth.
The truth is that as a tourism destination Greece is as peaceful, safe and wonderful as ever.
Tourists are considering for themselves of their thousands and no matter what’s said inside the media, word of mouth remains the most important communication tool.
BTN: Has the location in Greece created any opportunities for savvy investors
PP: In every crisis there are opportunities.
It has unquestionably been a tough few years for small hotels.
During this time our expertise in helping hotels improve their offer without necessarily investing in new infrastructure has proved to be a great deal admired.
Subsequently, we’ve been in a position to grow our business by supporting, advising and guiding others through challenging times.
BTN: Could you tell our readers just a little more about your decision to transport into Beirut Has the political situation within the Middle East altered the timing of the project
PP: Our plan is to open the O’Monot Hotel in Beirut in August this year.
That has always been the plan, it hasn’t changed and we don’t expect it to switch.
Our decision to transport to Lebanon was driven by a mix of a thrilling market and a culture it is a great deal in step with our operating model.
Beirut is a colourful city with a high-quality domestic and international hospitality scene, which through the years has proved incredibly resilient.
In Greece we now have had great success working with hotels to maneuver faraway from generic, high rise concepts of luxury and help them provide authentic experiences to guests, but with international standards.
We are confident that the fascinating culture, architecture and great food in Lebanon is an appropriate base to support this approach, and that clientele will find it irresistible.
BTN: What’s on offer on the new property
PP: O’Monot could be the first hotel from the Small Luxury Hotels of the Word collection in Lebanon.
It could have 41 rooms all with an elegant, metropolitan aesthetic and there’ll be a roof top pool, gourmet restaurant and club bar, all with magnificent views of town of Beirut.
BTN: Will you be aiming at travellers from the center East, Europe, Asia or elsewhere Are you seeking business or leisure guests
PP: The hotel is perfectly install to host business and leisure guests, and we’re confident that the situation and facilities will make it well-liked by both.
The majority of tourism arrivals to Beirut are from throughout the Middle East, followed by Europe and the remainder of the sector.
We hope to attract travellers from around the globe, and we predict that our guests will reflect the varied make up of the city’s visitors.
It’s a truly exciting market, undoubtedly. With multiple major airline hubs there’ll always be traffic into the region for business, leisure and naturally there’s the stop over market.
The culture around the Middle East is rich and in some areas growth has most probably been on the expense of this.
I think, however, this offers a good greater opportunity for hoteliers to interrupt the mold and utilize what’s on their doorstep to produce personalised experiences, showing off the most efficient valuable of the region in tandem with great service. Hospitality with the soul!
Interview: Chris O’Toole