ΠΕΡΙΓΡΑΦΗ

This year’s Conference promises growth and innovation, reaffirming its place as the leading event for hoteliers and the broader hospitality industry. As the ultimate destination for industry professionals, the event will feature new elements, including an impressive exhibition area with comprehensive HORECA coverage, specialised masterclasses, and designated networking areas. Additionally, attendees can engage with exciting exhibitor activities like wine tastings and food showcases, ensuring a dynamic and interactive experience for all participants.

AWARDS

For the second year running, the 46th Hotel Summit & Exhibition will recognise key individuals and businesses in the hospitality industry for their outstanding contributions. The Awards will celebrate achievements and impactful influence on tourism, both for local and international businesses and personalities. This prestigious event is a highlight of the conference and offers an inspiring celebration of success, an opportunity not to be missed by attendees!

ΣΕ ΠΟΙΟΥΣ ΑΠΕΥΘΥΝΕΤΑΙ

The Summit & HORECA Expo is addressed to CEOs and executives of hotels, tourism-related businesses and all companies involved in the tourism and hospitality industries.

The Conference is addressed to hotel owners, CEO’s and executives of hotels and hospitality-related businesses. From large hotel chains to boutique hotels, from traditional luxury hotels to Gen Z start-ups and alternative resorts, participants will have a chance to hear from some household names in the industry, explore and exchange ideas, mingle in the exhibition area and enjoy the first-ever Award Ceremony and networking cocktail at the end of the Conference.

ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΕΣ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ

KEY TOPICS

Chairman Introduction

• Keynote speech by the President of the Cyprus Hotel Association
  • Key facts, figures and strategic pillars for the growth and development of the hospitality industry
• Keynote Address by the Deputy Minister for Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus
• The future of travel, tourism and hospitality: Trends shaping the travel, tourism and hospitality industry
  • The future of hospitality
  • Hotels of the future (an Architect’s view)
  • The future of travel
  • Panel discussions and Fireside Chats with Tour Operators and Hoteliers

The Customer: The Evolution in Customer Preferences and Behaviour in Travel and Hospitality

• Customer Behaviour Analysis by Age Group
• Customer Behaviour Analysis by Geographical region / country

Hospitality: The Investment and Finance dimension

• Investing in the hospitality industry – global trends
• Investing in the Cyprus hospitality sector
• Sector specific Investment: Key investment trends in the Leisure / Resort Sector

The Hospitality sector in Cyprus: The family business model

• The new generation of hospitality entrepreneurs discuss the future of the hospitality sector in Cyprus
  • Growth and Challenges
  • Succession Planning

Airlines – The Future of Airlines

The Future of Connectivity in Cyprus

• Airline executives discuss:
  • Global and regional trends
  • Impact on Cyprus

Technology: An Industry in Transformation

• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Analysis and effective usage

Speakers

Thanos Michaelides

President of the Cyprus Hotel Association

Thanos Michaelides obtained a double major in Economics and Political Science from Brandeis University, USA, and an MBA from London Business School. Appointed CEO of Thanos Hotels in 1993, he is the visionary for Thanos Hotels with overall responsibility for the group. Thanos is Owner and Director of the Kult Boutique luxury fashion chain, with 6 locations in Cyprus including City of Dreams Casino, Limassol, and downtown Nicosia and Limassol. Kult is the exclusive retailer in Cyprus of several top designer brands. Thanos is President of the Cyprus Hotel Association since 2023. He was also President of the Paphos Branch of the Cyprus Hotel Association, and Member of the Board of Directors of the Pafos Innovation Institute.

Kostas Koumis

Deputy Minister of Tourism

Kostas Koumis holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Media and Communication. He is an experienced professional with 20 years of experience in different industries such as tourism, real estate, education, as well as the public sector. Serving these positions, he acquired extensive knowledge of the country’s public sector processes, including broad skills in national and regional development management. Also, he acquired skills in managing and/or coordinating teams of specialists of different industries. He served as the Vice Chairman of the Cyprus Tourism Organization during the period of 2014 - 2018 and as the Vice Chairman of the Cyprus Telecommunication Authority (CYTA) and President of the Audit Committee of CYTA between January 2019 to December 2020. He also worked as a visiting lecturer at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan Cyprus). From September 2020 until June 2021, he was the editor and presenter of a podcast program dedicated to the Tourism Sector. From July 2021 until February 2023, he was a member of the Public Service Commission.

Ettore Cavallino

Senior Director Development Luxury Brands Europe & Noth Africa, Accor Luxury & Lifestyle, Italy

Ettore Cavallino is the Senior Director Development at Accor Luxury.  As a Senior Director Development, he is in charge of the development of all Accor Luxury Brands within Luxury team of Europe and North Africa (Raffles, Orient Express, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, Emblems and MGallery collections) for all type of contracts (franchising and management). Previously Director Development at Accor for all Premium/Midscale/Eco brands in Italy, Greece & Malta (2017-2022). In the past he spent many years in Operations, managing Hotels in Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. He holds a University Degree in Translator (French & English) and an International Hotel Management Program created by Accor in cooperation with ESSEC. He speaks Italian, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Gabriel Pavlides

Associate, Architect, Foster + Partners UK

Gabriel Pavlides is an Associate at Foster + Partners, specializing in aviation and leisure tourism architecture across the Middle East and Asia. His work includes Airport Developments and adjacent Masterplans, mixed-use high-rise developments, and Luxury Tourism Island projects, with a focus on sustainability and cutting-edge engineering. Since joining Foster + Partners in 2018, he has contributed to projects from concept to completion, blending innovative sustainable design with context-sensitive solutions. Originally from Cyprus, Gabriel holds degrees from UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture and Oxford Brookes University, and he previously gained experience in a number of Practices in Cyprus and the UK.

Kalia Konstantinidou

Group Executive Office, Empiria Group

Kalia Konstantinidou was born and raised in Athens and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Shipping from University of Wales, Cardiff and a Master’s Degree in PR & Communication, from European University, Switzerland. She is a passionate leader in hospitality, managing luxury boutique hotels on the Greek islands and the Peloponnese, currently holding the position of the Co-Founder and Group Executive Officer of Empiria Group. Kalia’s expertise is best showcased through the company’s multi-awarded hotels in Santorini and Paros, that operate under the emblematic brands of Marriott International, while she Co-Chairs Marriott International’s Franchise Advisory Council. She is a Board Member at Enterprise Greece, Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum and Cycladic Identity Initiative of Cycladic Museum and she seats in Marketing Greece's Strategic Committee. Throughout her extensive 25-year career in the tourism industry, she has dedicated herself to elevating Greece's hotel sector, infusing it with her wealth of expertise and unwavering dedication.

Kirill Anurov

Senior Director, Alvarez & Marsal UK

Kirill Anurov is a Senior Director with Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations in London. He brings over 17 years of experience in business valuation, damages assessments, forensic accounting and consulting services. Mr. Anurov’s primary area of concentration is loss quantification in the context of commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases brought before ICC, LCIA, SCC, ICSID and ad hoc tribunals. He has worked with clients across a range of industries, including banking, infrastructure, hotels and leisure, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas and telecommunications, often involving assets and businesses located in emerging markets. Most recently, Mr. Anurov provided expert evidence in an arbitration related to the issue of funding an M&A transaction and worked on an investor-state dispute over an expropriated business in the CIS region. Previously, he worked on arbitrations involving infrastructure projects in developing countries; disputes involving mining businesses; disputes in relation to loan transactions; and disputes involving international production and distribution agreements. Mr. Anurov’s commercial valuation experience includes valuing businesses for purchase price allocations; valuing convertible debt instruments; valuing share options; and valuing intellectual property and intangible assets. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Anurov worked with Deloitte, Navigant and Globalview Advisors in London. He is a CFA Charterholder and a chartered certified accountant.

Maria Kouroupi

Director of Aviation Development, Marketing & Communication, HERMES Airports, Cyprus

Maria Kouroupi joined Hermes Airports in 2009 bringing along over 20 years of experience in the airline industry. She has held the role of Senior Manager Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication since 2013. Maria has extensive experience in aviation development as well as marketing management. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a holder of its Diploma. She is also a holder of two MBA degrees one from the University of Abertay Dundee in Scotland, and one from the Cyprus International Institute of Management. Whilst leading the air service development at both Larnaka and Pafos airports, Maria is also responsible for corporate communication, digital strategies, as well as media and community outreach. She is also a member of the Board of CSR Cyprus as well as the Economic committee of ACI. With a special interest in destination branding, and innovative marketing practices, she is determined to contribute to the collective efforts of transforming the tourism experience in Cyprus and creating demand to support sustainable growth of air connectivity on the island.

Marianna Papachristophorou

Partner, Head of Hospitality Portfolio, Invel Real Estate

Marianna currently oversees the operations and development of all of Invel’s hospitality investments including amongst others the Bellevue Cortina in Italy, the Landmark Nicosia, the Parklane Resort and Spa in Limassol and the Domes White Coast in Milos, Greece. Whilst in Deutsche Bank Capital Partners in London, Marianna worked on the $1 billion acquisition of leisure company, Center Parks. She also worked in the Investment Banking and Securitization teams of Deutsche Bank, the Risk Management division of J P Morgan (Euroclear) Brussels, as well as the Management Consulting team of KPMG Nicosia. In 1995 she spent a year at the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs at the European Commission in Brussels. After receiving a Fulbright Scholarship, Marianna attended Boston University where she received a BA/MA in Economics and a BA in International Relations. She subsequently received an MBA from London Business School. Marianna is currently a member of Marriott International’s Franchise Advisory Council.

Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos

Head of Tourism, ICF Spain

Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos is Head of Tourism at ICF in Madrid, boasts a decade of expertise in international tourism development. He champions sustainable tourism, tackling climate change, social sustainability, and crisis management. With a Master's in International Sustainable Tourism Management from Monash University and a BSc in Economic Sciences from Aristotle University, he leads ICF's tourism practice, collaborating with UN Tourism, WTTC, and the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council, among others. Nikolaos has driven successful initiatives worldwide, advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals. His extensive experience spans Greece, Australia, Spain, Central Asia, Europe, the US, and more making him a well-rounded thought leader in tourism sustainability.

Shaul Keinan

Managing Director, Premium Access Group

Shaul Keinan is a co-manager and partner of Premium Access, with more than 15 years of experience in the real estate and financing industry. Mr. Keinan is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the company as well as the company’s investment and transaction strategy, financials, site selection, design and conceptualization. Prior to joining Premium Access Group, Mr. Keinan held senior legal and managerial positions in leading hi-Tech, financing and real estate firms. Mr. Keinan holds a master of law (extinguished) and MBA (accounting) from Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University, respectively.

Victoria Studer

Director Sourcing & Contracting Volume Tour Operating, Hotelplan Group

Victoria Studer found her way into the travel industry in 2011 as a travel consultant for city trips at the Swiss OTA travel.ch. She moved then to TUI Cruises as a guest advisor before returning to travel.ch as a travel consultant. Her further career stages took her to Hotelplan Suisse in 2015 as Manager Sales & Operations Beach East, Lead Product Manager Beach Shorthaul and as Head Product Management. 2021 Victoria Studer has been Director Tour Operating Hotelplan & Migros Ferien and a member of the management team of the Volume Tour Operating division. Since 1.12.2023 Victoria Studer is Director Contracting & Sourcing for Volume Tour Operating.

Samantha Mardkhah

Regional Director SW Europe, STR (Costar Group) UK

Multilingual sales and business development leader with 15 years of experience in technology companies specializing in real estate, hospitality, and travel across EMEA. Proven expertise in leadership, account management, and strategic growth within emerging and saturated markets. Currently Regional Director for Southern & Western Europe at CoStar Group, managing international teams and driving client engagement, retention, and upselling. Adept in negotiation, presentations, and leveraging analytics. Fluent in five languages, enabling effective cross-cultural collaboration. Holds a Data Analytics Certificate from Cornell University and a BA in English Literature and Culture.

Vassilis Themelidis

Regional Director South & East Europe, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Vassilis is the Regional Director for South & East Europe with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts based out of Athens, Greece. He is responsible for driving the expansion opportunities in the region and managing the relationships in a portfolio of 83 hotels, under 9 different brands, in 17 countries. Vassilis has been active in the hospitality industry for almost 30 years, joined Wyndham in 1998 and before his current role he gained valuable experience in the management and development of various touristic-real estate projects in a diverse region that spanned from the Nordics, Central and Southeast Europe to the CIS and the Middle East. Vassilis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and an MSc Postgraduate Degree in Tourism Management from the University of Surrey.

Anastasia Kremli

Development Director – Greece, Cyprus and Israel, Marriott International

Anastasia is Development Director for Greece, Cyprus, and Israel at Marriott International. With an extensive experience in the hospitality sector, her career includes roles at Bain Capital, Sonder, and IHG, showcasing her expertise in hotel asset management, investment analysis, financial planning, and real estate transactions. She holds a BSc in Accounting and Finance from the Athens University of Economics and Business, Marketing & Communication Management studies from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and an MSc in International Hotel and Tourism Management from Oxford Brookes University, UK. Fluent in Greek and English, Anastasia also has limited working proficiency in French and Russian.

Xenophon Petropoulos

Country Director, Horwath HTL Greece

A seasoned tourism advisor holding senior positions for the last 12 years. More than 25 years of professional experience in multiple industries and in the fields of hotel consulting, real estate investments, feasibility studies, sales management, customer service, corporate communications, and reputation management. Expert in launching new practices, tourism strategy formulation, hotel asset management, business planning, lobbying and policy development. Xenophon launched the Horwath HTL Greek office in 2018 and since then has completed more than 110 hospitality projects, including strategic advice, feasibility studies, tourism policy development, asset management, new product development and investors’ support. In his previous role, he was the deputy Managing Director of the Greek Tourism Confederation, advising the President of the BoD about Greek tourism public affairs strategy, EU level lobbying, national and regional initiatives, tourism policies and hospitality sector’s operational readiness.

Ourania Georgoutsakou

Managing Director, Airlines for Europe

Ourania “Rania” Georgoutsakou is the Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E), the voice of Europe’s leading airlines in Brussels. Rania joined A4E in June 2023 and is responsible for the association’s strategy and impact. Her role is to represent Europe’s leading airlines in the Brussels political arena, liaise with industry executives and manage the association’s operations. She has 20-years’ experience of advocating for membership associations, previously leading LightingEurope and working as Director of Public Policy for Europe for SEMI and as Senior Policy Coordinator with the Assembly of European Regions in Strasbourg and in Brussels.

Claudio Milano

Senior Ramón y Cajal Research Fellow, Social Anthropology Department at the University of Barcelona

Claudio Milano is a social anthropologist with a background in economics. He is a Ramón y Cajal researcher in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Barcelona. He is Co-Chair of the Commission on the Anthropology of Tourism of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES) and a member of the Editorial Review Board of the Annals of Tourism Research (Elsevier). He is also a member of the Research Group on the Anthropology of Contemporary Crises and Transformations (CRITS) at the University of Barcelona and of the Observatory for the Anthropology of Urban Conflict (OACU). His main area of specialisation is the political economy of tourism. His primary area of expertise lies into political economy of tourism. His research delves into the dynamics of touristification processes, exploring how societies respond to and resist these changes through social movements and grassroot organizations. Presently, he is engaged in research that centers on the informal economy and migrant labor in tourist destinations. His body of work has been widely disseminated in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian through publications in renowned international scientific journals and editorial.

Haris Kyriakopoulos

Market Team Manager, Booking.com

Harris earned a Business Administration degree from the University of Hertfordshire, followed by an MA in Marketing from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in International Hospitality Management from the University of Strathclyde. His career began at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, followed by six years with a major Greek hotel chain. For the past 12 years, Harris has worked at Booking.com, focusing on key destinations in Cyprus and Greece. His mission is to inspire and lead his team towards excellence in accommodations through a culture of experimentation and learning.

Elie Milky

Vice President Development, Radisson Hotel Group, Middle East, North-East Africa, Greece & Cyprus

Elie is responsible for driving expansion opportunities and leading Radisson Hotel Group’s strategic growth and hotel portfolio in the Middle East as well as Cyprus and Greece. His responsibility is to continue to grow the Group’s regional portfolio across each of Radisson Hotel Group’s core brands: Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Collection, Prize by Radisson and art’otel. A Lebanese national, Elie has over 20 years’ experience in development and asset management with international hospitality consultants, as well as a global hotel operator. Elie was formerly part of the HVS team based in London and in Dubai, where his focus was on conducting feasibility studies, valuations, ROI analyses and strategic advice. He joined Radisson Hotel Group in 2010 as Development Manager quickly rising to his current VP role within the organisation. His ability to forge enduring cross-cultural relationships has proven to be a key attribute in a career that has included mandates for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Elie’s strengths lie in his ability to execute strategic agreements for new-build and conversion opportunities while forging strong relationships with new and existing owners. He is adept at assessing market conditions and gathering intelligence, turning opportunities into business. Elie has an MBA in International Hospitality Management specialising in Hotel Real Estate and Finance from the renowned IMHI – ESSEC Business School in Paris and a BA in Hospitality Management & Tourism from Notre Dame University in Lebanon.

Irene Roberts

Director, Market Management, Expedia Group

Irene Roberts is responsible for leading the team of local experts developing relationships with our hotel partners for Expedia Group. With over 20 years’ experience of working in the tourism and travel industry, Irene is an expert at working across multiple markets to ensure we are driving the best results through the continued roll out of new technology and tools to our hotel partners. Starting her Expedia career in 2007 as a market manager for Scotland, Irene was promoted to area market manager for the UK, followed by UK & Ireland, then promoted to director for London, and then UK & Ireland. She has been director for Greece, Cyprus & East Adriatic since June 2024. Prior to Expedia, Irene worked at TUI Travel in both product and commercial roles for 6 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Aberdeen.