There’s a quiet energy in the halls of Greece’s historic tourism training hotels. Once a showcase for Greek ambition and elegance, three storied properties—Xenia-Ilios hotels in Anavyssos, Kokkinis Chani on Crete, and Peraia in Thessaloniki—are set to regain their former glory, serving a noble and practical purpose. The Ministry of Tourism, guided by Olga Kefalogianni, is breathing new life into these spaces with a contemporary and classic plan: the reintroduction of the celebrated Swiss model of tourism education.
The Swiss approach, time-tested and renowned, merges rigorous education with hands-on industry experience, always with a sharp eye toward relevance and adaptability. The answer appeared obvious when the need for rejuvenated talent met an underused public property portfolio. With renewed focus and energy, Kefalogianni declared, “We are reviving the hotel-school model with modern tools and public-private partnerships, using the value of our educational buildings, which hold valid hotel permits.”
Partnership, Preservation, and Professional Growth
This move intertwines the ambition of the public sector with the drive and know-how of private enterprise. In the months ahead, open tenders will invite investors to take on the long-term management and restoration of these classic hotel properties. Their mission: restore, modernize, and run these sites as functioning hotels while integrating on-site hospitality schools. Students will gain essential experience side by side with seasoned staff—practice meeting theory in the same hallways where generations once built their futures.
- Long-term leases for Anavyssos, Kokkinis Chani (Crete), and Peraia (Thessaloniki) hotels;
- Private partners handle renovations and day-to-day hotel operations;
- Students from tourism schools train and work within these facilities;
- The Swiss model brings industry experience directly into education;
- The Ministry remains responsible for academic programs and training,
Bulleting out the points gives a sense of order, a nod to the careful Swiss structure that inspires the plan:
- Historic Xenia-Ilios hotels house tourism education schools;
- Competitive bidding for management and renovation contracts;
- Educational units stay under the Ministry of Tourism’s oversight;
- Modern training blends public investment with private management;
- In partnership with local municipalities, energy upgrades and new facilities are planned for key institutions like SAEK Galaxidi and a new school in Agios Nikolaos.
The plan moves beyond physical renovations. Energy upgrades for units such as SAEK Galaxidi are underway, and an agreement signals the birth of a new tourism education center in Agios Nikolaos. These efforts are funded via public investment, European funds, and targeted collaborations with private entities.
Investing in People: Training and Real-World Skills
Central to the Ministry’s new vision is the belief that the future of Greek tourism depends on better skills and real-world experience. The Ministry’s current training initiative aims to support as many as 20,000 people—employees, seasonal workers, and the long-term jobless. These subsidized programs focus on upskilling and reskilling, aiming to turn promise into competence.
During a recent press conference, Deputy Minister Anna Karamanli emphasized, “Tourism Education Schools play an essential role in career development for young people and in advancing regional growth. Supporting these institutions with up-to-date curricula and sustainable infrastructure is a key priority.”
The sense of purpose here is clear—better schools, better jobs, better service—each feeding into the next. Students not only learn the ropes; they carve out viable career paths, supported by institutions tied to both government and industry.
Why Now? Why the Swiss Model?
At its core, this initiative seeks to safeguard the quality and future-readiness of Greece’s tourism workforce. The Swiss model demands that hotels and schools share walls and purpose: practical skills meet classroom learning, high standards are set, and Greece’s hospitality talent is built to last.
Kefalogianni’s vision settles neatly on the horizon: “With these initiatives, we invest in the future of Greek tourism, raising the quality of services and laying a strong foundation for training the professionals of tomorrow. Our goal is for Greece to retain its status as a global destination and a model of sustainable growth.”
These statements ring out from the echo of polished lobbies and sun-washed courtyards, promising a future where learning and working move hand-in-hand—where the Swiss model of tourism education feels right at home on Greek soil.
