International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Greece’s dynamic presence at the leading event for the tourism investment industry
Athens, April 26th, 2024 | Forty-five (45) b2b meetings, a breakfast roundtable discussion with the presence of 70 company representatives, as well as participation in panel discussions, were some of the highlights from the Hellenic Investment and Foreign Trade Company (Enterprise Greece)’s participation in the International Hotel Investment Forum, the leading event for the tourism investment industry, which took place from April 15th to 17th in Berlin.
The largest hospitality event at a European level, organised for the 26th consecutive year with 41 countries participating, attracted over 2,500 senior executives from all over the world, including C-Suite Executives, VPs and Directors. It also attracted more than 600 investors, such as Stepstone, Blackstone, Starwood Capital, Pandox, Brookfield, QIA, ADIA and AXA, which manage over $343 billion.
During the IHIF, Enterprise Greece operated a specially designed booth, where a full programme of 45 face-to-face meetings was scheduled, some of which were follow-up meetings with leads interested in investing in our country. At the same time, within the context of its participation, it organized a cocktail reception, with executives from the international and Greek business field as guests, who had the opportunity to discuss the latest developments and investment opportunities offered by our country. The event was also attended by her Excellence the Greek Ambassador in Berlin, Ms. Mara Marinaki, the Head of the Berlin Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs and General Economic & Commercial Affairs Counsellor B’, Mr. Theodoros Xypolias, the Head of the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Office and Communications Counsellor A’, Ms. Maria Louca, and the Executive of the Berlin Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs and Economic & Commercial Affairs Secretary A’, Mr. Yannis Maroutsos.
Enterprise Greece also organized a breakfast roundtable discussion dedicated to Greece under the name: “Greece Hospitality: Investment and Development Opportunities in a Thriving Market”, which was attended by 70 industry representatives, a number that exceeded all expectations. Speaking during the event, the CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, referred to the excellent prospects for our country: “Greece’s recent success is based on a comprehensive and dynamic approach towards economic recovery, marked by an excellent transformation through major reforms. These changes have made the country an open, competitive and business-friendly destination, reinforced by the government’s commitment to diversify its economy.“
Representatives of Greek and international companies in the sector, such as Messrs. Luis Picas, Senior Director Investments, HIP, Yannis Delikanakis, Founding Partner & Managing Director, Southrock Asset Management S.A., Alexis Pipilis, Head of Hospitality & Business Development, Prodea Investments SA, Diane DAUDIN-CLAVAUD, Corporate Director of Global Business Development, NOBUHOTELS, and Alexander Robinson, Senior Manager Industry Partners of STR, participated in the discussion by giving a speech.
The CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Gianopoulos, also participated in the following panel discussion: “Destination Dynamics: Strategic Stakeholder Partnerships to Cultivate Appeal for Travellers, Investors and Local Communities”. Asked whether Greece will maintain its positive pace in attracting investments in the future, he pointed out that our country will continue to demonstrate increasing inflows of Foreign Direct Investment, as investors positively assess the country’s long-term potential and the growing number of new opportunities for productive investments. As Mr. Giannopoulos characteristically stressed, the established industries in Greece – tourism and shipping – are making continuous progress, and new industries – from energy to technology and from logistics to business services – are growing rapidly.
The majority of participants at the events noted the strong interest in developing high quality services in Greece, which is confirmed by the entry of more brands in the sector and the further expansion of already established hotel chains. There is an equally strong interest in projects with an environmental footprint and highlighting the benefits of the local element.
Finally, it is recalled that the dynamic presence of our country and the increasing interest from the international investment community, combined with the coordinated efforts of Enterprise Greece, led the international Questex group to the decision to organize the high-level conference Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum in Greece, a fact that was highlighted during the IHIF.
 b2b meetings, a breakfast roundtable discussion with the presence of 70 company representatives, as well as participation in panel discussions, were some of the highlights from the Hellenic Investment and Foreign Trade Company (Enterprise Greece)'s participation in the International Hotel Investment Forum, the leading event for the tourism investment industry, which took place from April 15th to 17th in Berlin.</p>
<p>The largest hospitality event at a European level, organised for the 26th consecutive year with 41 countries participating, attracted over 2,500 senior executives from all over the world, including C-Suite Executives, VPs and Directors. It also attracted more than 600 investors, such as Stepstone, Blackstone, Starwood Capital, Pandox, Brookfield, QIA, ADIA and AXA, which manage over $343 billion.</p>
<p>During the IHIF, Enterprise Greece operated a specially designed booth, where a full programme of 45 face-to-face meetings was scheduled, some of which were follow-up meetings with leads interested in investing in our country. At the same time, within the context of its participation, it organized a cocktail reception, with executives from the international and Greek business field as guests, who had the opportunity to discuss the latest developments and investment opportunities offered by our country. The event was also attended by her Excellence the Greek Ambassador in Berlin, Ms. Mara Marinaki, the Head of the Berlin Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs and General Economic & Commercial Affairs Counsellor B’, Mr. Theodoros Xypolias, the Head of the Embassy's Public Diplomacy Office and Communications Counsellor A’, Ms. Maria Louca, and the Executive of the Berlin Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs and Economic & Commercial Affairs Secretary A’, Mr. Yannis Maroutsos.</p>
<p>Enterprise Greece also organized a breakfast roundtable discussion dedicated to Greece under the name: “<em>Greece Hospitality: Investment and Development Opportunities in a Thriving Market”, </em>which was attended by 70 industry representatives, a number that exceeded all expectations. Speaking during the event, the CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, referred to the excellent prospects for our country:<em> “Greece's recent success is based on a comprehensive and dynamic approach towards economic recovery, marked by an excellent transformation through major reforms. These changes have made the country an open, competitive and business-friendly destination, reinforced by the government's commitment to diversify its economy.</em>"</p>
<p>Representatives of Greek and international companies in the sector, such as Messrs. Luis Picas, Senior Director Investments, HIP, Yannis Delikanakis, Founding Partner & Managing Director, Southrock Asset Management S.A., Alexis Pipilis, Head of Hospitality & Business Development, Prodea Investments SA, Diane DAUDIN-CLAVAUD, Corporate Director of Global Business Development, NOBUHOTELS, and Alexander Robinson, Senior Manager Industry Partners of STR, participated in the discussion by giving a speech.</p>
<p>The CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Gianopoulos, also participated in the following panel discussion: “<em>Destination Dynamics: Strategic Stakeholder Partnerships to Cultivate Appeal for Travellers, Investors and Local Communities</em>”. Asked whether Greece will maintain its positive pace in attracting investments in the future, he pointed out that our country will continue to demonstrate increasing inflows of Foreign Direct Investment, as investors positively assess the country's long-term potential and the growing number of new opportunities for productive investments. As Mr. Giannopoulos characteristically stressed, the established industries in Greece – tourism and shipping – are making continuous progress, and new industries – from energy to technology and from logistics to business services – are growing rapidly.</p>
<p>The majority of participants at the events noted the strong interest in developing high quality services in Greece, which is confirmed by the entry of more brands in the sector and the further expansion of already established hotel chains. There is an equally strong interest in projects with an environmental footprint and highlighting the benefits of the local element.</p>
<p>Finally, it is recalled that the dynamic presence of our country and the increasing interest from the international investment community, combined with the coordinated efforts of Enterprise Greece, led the international Questex group to the decision to organize the high-level conference Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum in Greece, a fact that was highlighted during the IHIF.</p>/sddefault.webp)