Greetings from the Battlefield

Dear partners and colleagues,

This is not another clichéd corporate portrait with arms crossed and confident looks.

On the contrary, it is a message of strength and optimism in the face of the multiple challenges that we, all of us involved in one way or another in the hospitality industry, are called upon to face during the season:

How will the season go?

Will I find talent to staff my team? And if I run out of staff during the season, what will I do?

Is the cleaning lady sick? Who's going to back up now?

If I lose my cook, who's gonna cook?

My team is doing their best, but this one guest gave us a bad review. How am I supposed to deal with that?

The short term rental properties around my hotel are opening one after another, and they are "hammering" me on rates and occupancies. What can I do?

I have a room broken down and the plumber can come next week? The hotel is full, where do I put my guests who are checking in today?

The travel agency I had a contract with went bankrupt and owes me money. What am I going to do?

With the average lodging establishment in Greece having 16 rooms and the majority of hotel businesses being family-run, the above gives a good taste of the everyday life of the average Greek hotelier.

Let's face it, every season is a championship, a frontier that wants you on the battlefield until the end. It takes good training, preparation, stamina, resilience, enthusiasm, patience and strong nerves. It's a fast sprint, where you are called upon over a period of 4 - 5 months to push yourself to the maximum in order to reach the finish line with optimism.

So this is the time when we roll up our sleeves and get messy, without much analysis and philosophy we get down to business. It is the time when we prove first and foremost to ourselves and by extension to our clients and partners what we really are: multi-faceted professionals. Let us not forget this even in the most difficult situations, let us maintain our optimism on the way to the finish of this sprint.

In anticipation of the Holy Spirit weekend, the first three days of the 2024 summer season, which is the essential kick-off of the high season, all of us at Panel Hospitality send you our warmest, racing greetings.

We wish you a Happy 2024 Season, Excellent Performance and Nerves of Titanium.

Sincerely,

Panos & Eliza

Panel Hospitality