The future of the tourism industry and the new model to be followed for the benefit of the wider economy and development were discussed during the STEK 2024 Annual Tourism Conference, held with the support of Hellenic Bank.
During the conference entitled “Tourism: New data requires a more competitive model” topics such as the green transition, sustainability and sustainability in tourism, new trends and challenges in the sector were developed of hospitality and the role of Cypriot and Greek tourism in the economies of the two countries.
As the Chief Banking Officer of the Hellenic Bank Mr. Phoivos Stasopoulos emphasized during his speech, the development can only be a one-way street for the tourism industry of Cyprus. “Everything has changed. The way we communicate and get informed, the way we trade, the way we travel. We saw the change coming but now we are living it. In the tourism industry, as in the banking industry, the data has changed radically”, he stressed, explaining that technology has evolved the nature of competition, which is now not only about companies against each other, but also about the customers themselves who have increased and personalized requirements.
“We are particularly proud of our contribution to the tourism industry, in which we invest throughout time. At Hellenic Bank, loans to the tourism industry represent more than 10% of our total loan portfolio,” he emphasized.
“Strengthening the tourism sector with effective products and facilities adapted to the needs of the sector is a top priority for our Bank. We will continue to emphasize the sector, to be in constant contact with the entrepreneurs and to find together the appropriate solutions for their needs”, added Mr. Stasopoulos.
More than 250 people participated in the Conference. It was held in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, ambassadors, government officials, businessmen and professionals from the area of ​​the Hotel and wider Tourism Industry of Cyprus and Greece.