by Anastasios Mexas, Hotelier, President of the Alpine’s Alumni Ambassadors Association. The presentation was made to a group of Shrewsbury College UK students, who have spent two weeks of training in Greece for the needs of the Erasmus Mobility program.

1. The Students, Faculty & Staff of Alpine Center, the
Swiss Hospitality & Tourism Management Department
@ City Unity College, Glyfada, Greece
Heartily welcome Students & Faculty of

2. A Presentation on the Hospitality & Tourism Industry in
GREECE
by
Anastasios Mexas (Call me Tassos)
Hotelier
President of Alpine’s Alumni Ambassadors Association

3. Hospitality & Tourism Industry
in Greece

5. Vital Statistics

6. Vital Statistics
Population: approximately 11 million citizens
Capital: Athens, with a metropolitan
population of approximately 4 million
Land Size: 131,990 square kilometers
Government: Parliamentary Republic. The president is the
ceremonial head of the state, but the prime
minister is the head of government
Religion: 97 percent Greek Orthodox (Muslim, Roman
Catholics and Jewish minorities)
Currency: Euro (previously Drachmas)

7. The Greek Flag
• The Greek flag has its current form since 1822.
• The blue color represents the Greek sky and sea.
• There are many versions about what the white color
stands for: 1 – the foam of the waves, 2 – the snow on
the mountaintops, 3 – the purity of the fighters of 1821.
• It consists of 9 stripes, as many as the syllables of the
motto of the Greek Independence struggle "Freedom or
Death“.
• The cross stands for Christianity and states the deep-
rooted connection between the country and Christianity.

8. Relationships
 Interpersonal relationships are very important in Greece.
 Family is the most important institution in
Greece and no one ever dishonors it.
 The parents care and provide for their children.
 Elders are greatly respected in the Greek society
and the children usually take care of their elderly parents.
 Friendships are highly valued.
 Decision making takes into consideration the well-being of the family and
friends.
 Parental support (financial & emotional) does not stop when the child becomes
an adult.

9. Meetings and Greetings
 The formal greeting is a handshake
and it is expected that you shake
hands with everybody present
 Among friends hugging and kissing
are more usual forms of greeting.
 Upon departure you are expected to greet again or at
least inform the others about it.

10. Meetings and Greetings.....
 Among friends and politicians hugging and kissing
are more usual forms of greeting.

11.  Last names are the formal way to call somebody,
accompanied by the proper titles unless you are invited to
call him/her in a different way.
 Among friends, or even close acquaintances, first names
are the most common form of addressing someone.
 Greeks will add the title of “Kyrios” (Mr.), “Kyria” (Mrs.)
and “Despinis” (Miss) as a sign of respect either to the first
or to the last name.
 If you do not know a person’s name it is normal to use
“Kyrios” or “Kyria” to address him/her.
 Greeks are proud to carry professional titles (doctors,
lawyers, professors).
Names and Titles

12. Language and Education
 Greek is the official language and it is written
in the Greek alphabet.
 There is a great variety of dialects spoken
all over Greece.
 Greek students are taught ancient Greek, Latin, English
and they are able to choose French or German as a
second language.
 Greeks are flattered when a foreigner learns or tries to
speak their language.
Αβγδεζηθικλμνξοπρσς
τυφχψωϑϒϕϖ

13. Body Language

14. Body Language
 Greeks, as most of the Mediterranean's
are very expressive, have no concept of
“personal space” and are physically
demonstrative.
 Interpersonal communication includes a
lot of facial expressions and movements
of the body.
 Waving your hand with your palm outwards
and your fingers spread is an obscene gesture.

15. Concept of Time
 Greece has a flexible-time culture.
 Punctuality is not extremely important.
 The duration of an event cannot be defined
before it starts.
 Social events always begin later than the
appointed time.
 Scheduled meetings are kept in formal
situations.

16. Habits and Manners
• Drinking coffee is a daily and revered habit.

17. Habits and Manners
• Drinking coffee is a daily and revered habit.

18. Habits and Manners
• Going out for a meal can be a social event and it is strange to see
someone eating alone.
• When you are invited to a place always bring a gift with you. Flowers or
sweets are the best choices.
Greeks love to entertain themselves as often as possible!!!

19. Helpful Hints “Do’s”
• Show appreciation and respect to Greek culture and history.
• Interpersonal relationships are very important.
• Try to speak at least a little bit of Greek.
• Always accept food and drink when it is being offered to you.
• When you are invited to someone’s home always bring gifts to the
hosts.
• Maintain eye contact while speaking.
• Take into consideration the issues of traffic and parking in most of
the cities.
• Be prepared for smoking in all locations.

20.  Get an approximation of the fare
before you get into a cab.
 Do whatever a host insists upon
several times (eat more, stay longer)
 Compliment the food, home and the
children of your hosts.
Helpful Hints “Do’s”
 It is greatly appreciated if you try to show interest and join
Greek dances.
 Expect Greeks to ask personal questions (e.g. “Are you
married?”, “Do you have children?”)

21. “Dont’s”
 Greeks love to complain about the various problems of the
country, but they do not like to listen to any criticism by a
foreigner.
 Do not expect to do business during the months of July,
August, the national days and local holidays.
 Do not be overly punctual for social gatherings (15-30 min.
of delay is accepted).
 Do not call FYROM or “Democracy of Macedonia” just
Macedonia.

22.  Do not stay in lines without pushing or shoving (or you will
never get anywhere).
 Do not forget to be careful and watch your purse while being
on a crowded bus.
 (For women): Do not wear pants or shorts when visiting a
monastery.
 While doing business do not use first names until you are
invited to do so.
“Dont’s”

23. Useful Words
 Good morning Kalimera
 Good evening Kalispera
 Good night Kalinihta
 Hello/Goodbye Yassas
 Please/You are welcome Parakalo
 Thank you Efharisto
 Yes Ne
 No Ohi
 Excuse me/Sorry Signomi

24.  Pleased to meet you Hero poli
 How are you Ti kanis?
 My name is ... Me lene …
 What’s your name Pos se lene?
 Cheers! Yamas
 How much does it cost? Poso kani?
 Good luck Kali epitihia
Useful Words

26. Vacations
 In Greece, you are standing at a crossroads
of cultures, colours and civilisations, you
feel the strength of history.
 A country that despite being rich in history
has a population that moves towards the
future.
 Walk through the olive groves. Move to
clusters of sparsely inhabited islands.
Roam from the beaches to rocky
mountains and explore breathtaking
scenery.
 Explore your senses in Greece.

27. Vacations
 Explore your senses in Greece.

28. Attractions
Greece has an abundance of resources that tourists with
ecological and cultural interests will find attractive.
These resources are marked by their wide variety,
rareness and distinctiveness and are found in areas many
of which have already been placed under special
protection.

29. Accommodations
 Hotels (ordinary hotels, traditional guesthouses)
 Rooms to let
 Apartments to let
 Self-catering units (tourist residences and villas)
 Campsites
 Youth hostels

30. Events
Greece is a country with a vast
wealth of cultural tradition and
folklore. Visitors have many
opportunities to enrich their
travels by attending the various
cultural or sports events.

31. Transportation
 Road connections
 Sea travel
 Air connections
 Car and motorbike rental
 Railway Network
Greece 's transportation cover in total mainland and islands

32. Tourism in Greece
 Archaeological tourism
 Ecotourism
 Geotourism
 Cultural tourism
 Congress tourism
 Therapeutic tourism
 Adventure tourism
 Culinary Tourism

33. Archaeological Tourism
 The cradle of European Civilization
 Boasting a history stretching back
almost 4,000 years, Greece is the
Land of History, which offers a
unique opportunity for a historical
adventure through the centuries, a
chance to mentally relive myth,
history and culture, from classical
times to our day.

34. Ecotourism
Despite its relatively small area,
Greece has an exceptionally rich
nature; it presents a wide spectrum
of natural beauty & unusual animal
life with 10 National Parks & other
protected areas like:
 Aesthetic Forests
 Protected Monuments of Nature
 Game Reserves and Hunting Reserves
 Marine Parks

35. Culinary Tourism

36. Culinary Tourism

37. Geotourism
 Caves
 Gorges
 Waterfalls
 Volcanoes
 Petrified Forest
 fossilized areas

38. Cultural Tourism
 Landscape painting
 Raku pottery
 Icon painting
 Photography
 Mosaic making
 Marble sculpting
 Jewelry making
 Script writing
 Yoga
Available courses during holidays for people of
all ages and backgrounds

39. Congress Tourism
The concept of the congresses was born in Ancient Greece
with the Delphic Ampyctionies. Nowadays, Greece aims the
establishment of large conference and exhibition centers, as
well as numerous luxurious hotel units featuring conference
facilities staffed with experienced professionals.

40. Therapeutic Tourism
Greece has innumerable natural thermal springs.
 NATURAL SPRINGS are the thermal,
hypo-thermal and cool waters
containing active ingredients
indicated for the cure of
various illnesses.

41. Adventure Tourism
Trekking Rock Climbing Horseback Riding
4 Season Activities all over the country

42. Adventure Tourism
Cycling Rafting – Kayaking Wind Surfing
Skiing Diving Jeep Safari

43. Greek Islands
Corfu Mouse Island

44. Greek Islands
Koufonisia Island

45. Greek Islands
Kastelorizo

46. Greek Islands
Paxoi Island

47. Zakynthos Famous “navagio” beach
Greek Islands

48. Greek Islands
Santorini Island

49. Greek Islands
Mykonos Island - Little Venice

50. Greek Islands
Lefkada - Myrtos Beach

51. Santorini – Kaldera world famous sunset
Greek Islands

52. Chalkidiki - Armenistis Beach
Greek Islands

53. Greek wine

54. Greek Wine - Tsantalis
 In 1945 Evangelos Tsantalis
established the TSANTALI Wine
company in Thessaloniki.
 Awards received:
 GOLD FOR THE AGIORITIKO ABATON
 GOLD MEDAL FOR TSANTALI AT
BORDEAUX
 RAPSANI EPILEGMENOS, ENCHANTS
THE WORLD’S BEST SOMMELIERS

55. Greek Wine - Boutari
In 1879 Boutaris &
Son SA company
founded by Ioannis
Boutaris in Naousa

56. Boutari Awards
 VINALIES INTERNATIONALES 2005
SILVER MEDAL
 5th INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION MARCH
2005 GOLD MEDAL
 CHARDONNAY DU MONDE 2005 SILVER MEDAL
 CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL DU VIN 2005 SILVER
MEDAL
 DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2005
BRONZE MEDAL
 LOS ANGELES COUNTRY FAIR WINES OF THE WORLD
COMPETITION 2003 GOLD MEDAL

57. OUZO
 Ouzo starts by distilling 96% ABV
pure ethyl alcohol of agricultural
origin, in copper stills together with
anise and optionally other
flavourings (sugar can be added).
 This well known aperitif, according
to the European Union Law in1989
has been accepted and established
as a Greek product. Greece is the
only country that has the right to
produce it.

58. Original Greek beverage

59. Tsipouro
 Tsipouro (Τσίπουρο) is a distilled alcoholic
beverage from Greece, where the same spirit
with a stronger aroma is known as tsikoudia.
Tsipouro is a strong distilled spirit containing
percent alcohol by volume and is produced
from the pomace (the residue of the wine
press).
 It is usually served in shot glasses, very cold.
 In 2006, Greece filed a request to recognise
tsipouro as a PDO (Protected designation of
origin) product.

60. Olive Oil
• Greece devotes around 60% of its
cultivated land to exclusively growing
olives.
• Greece is the third largest exporter of
olive oil, and one of the biggest
consumers of it.
• Olive oil is a huge part of Greek cooking
and culture. It is used to dress pans
before cooking and poured over Greek
salads and cheeses to eat
• Most Greeks get a majority of their
daily fat from this healthy source.

61. MASTIHA
• Mastiha starts as a semi-transparent sap from
lentisk trees (actually evergreen bushes) found
only in certain areas of the Greek island of
Chios.
• The root word of “mastiha” is “masticate,”
meaning to chew and it was the first chewing
gum.
• Mastiha is used as a spice in sweets and
cooking, as a flavoring for liqueurs, and in
soap-making, cosmetics, and toothpaste,
among others. Recent evidence of its positive
effect on ulcers has resulted in a boom in
purchases by large pharmaceutical companies.

62. Greek yoghurt

63. FAGE yoghurt
FAGE is the company
which in 1975 created
TOTAL, the first
strained, branded, and
packaged yoghurt that
changed the yoghurt
market in Greece.
It is the “ambassador” of
the Greek dairy industry
abroad and is no. 1 in size
of sales of all the
exported dairy products.

64. Greek peach
 The peach is summer,
cool, juiced and
unprecedented.
 The peach tree is
considered "the Tree
of Life of Land
Paradise", that
provides in the
persons life and joy.

66. And not to forget, the famous Greek Salad!

67. Any questions

68. Thank You, and do
visit Greece again!
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