Its dynamic development Greek tourismin recent years through luxury resorts and five-star city hotels, now expanding to smaller hotels. These divisions expect to increase their sales by an average of 10% per year (13% for the most extroverted of them) over the next three years, but at the same time they say they are facing a problem in search for the necessary personnel to serve the increased demanddespite a salary increase of up to 20% compared to last year.

These are the main conclusions that follow from the responses of the hoteliers who participated in the Survey of the National Bank on the prospects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industry, i.e. with a turnover of up to 10 million per year. Small and medium-sized hospitality businesses are optimistic about the future, as reflected in SME Confidence Index created and registered by NGE. Hospitality companies of this size show a higher balance of positive expectations (46 points compared to 15 for other SMEs) as well as on the Individual Future Demand Index (72% see growth in the next six months compared to 28% for other SMEs). SME). In fact, their average sales trajectory estimate in 2023 points to a 10% increase in turnover this year, twice that of businesses in other industries. small and medium hoteliers they believe that these annual growth rates will be maintained for the next three years. The more extroverted hoteliers, most of whom are in island regions, the higher their sales forecasts (13% on average). According to the National Bank, “Evidence of the opportunity for expansion perceived by hotel SMEs is the investments they make to strengthen themselves in a timely manner, as by 2023 they estimate an average growth of both human resources and hospitality and infrastructure at 5% compared to 2 % -3% respectively for other SMEs.” When asked by hoteliers what parameters helped improve their prospects, most of them described the modernization achieved in recent years in the country’s infrastructure as a key development factor, with 58% of industry representatives acknowledging this fact as a significant benefit. It is noted that “adequate and high-quality infrastructure plays a key role in such issues as improving the quality of visitor service, highlighting points of tourist interest, as well as eliminating the geographical isolation of areas.”

According to the analysis of the results of the survey of the National Bank, despite the development mood of Greek hotels, 2023 retains elements of high uncertainty. According to this study, the main obstacle for small and medium-sized hotel businesses is the difficulty in finding staff: two out of three hotels are facing a serious problem, resulting in a change of up to + 20% in island regions in 2023. “Change in working habits due to the pandemic and reasons related to the peculiarities of the tourist profession, such as high seasonality, requirements for highly qualified personnel and the need to leave the place of permanent residence, contributed to the formation of this difficult situation,” economists of the bank explain.

In terms of political strategy, the distribution of responses according to the identified priorities is broad: some regions see infrastructure as a key opportunity for their development (eg Crete, Dodecanese), while others prioritize strengthening air links (eg Cyclades) or promoting alternative forms of tourism (Peloponnese).