The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (Greek: Σύνδεσμος Ελληνικών Τουριστικών Επιχειρήσεων), commonly abbreviated to SETE (ΣΕΤΕ), is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1991. It is the representative Association for unions of tourism enterprises in Greece, as well as independent companies operating across the broader tourism sector.[1]
Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises
Σύνδεσμος Ελληνικών Τουριστικών Επιχειρήσεων
Abbreviation
SETE
Formation
1991 (1991)
President
Andreas Andreadis
Website
www.sete.gr
Historyedit
The original 9 entrepreneurs who met in Elounda, Crete to discuss the creation of the association were:
Spyros Kokotos, of Elounda S.A. Hotels and Resorts, and first president of the Association
Nikos Angelopoulos, of ALDEMAR Hotels & Spa, the current president
In order to fulfill the legal requirement of 20 members, the following 14 were added to the original group and became the 23 founding members of the Association:
Vassilis Konstandakopoulos, of Costamare Shipping and Navarino Resorts
Dakis Ioannou, of J&P Overseas and Athenaum Intercontinental
George Tsilidis
Manolis Tsatsakis
Konstantinos Koulouvatos
Stelios Golemis
Antonis Mousamas
Maria Argyrou
Manolis Papakaliatis
Elias Kammenos
Stelios Seferiades, formerly of Astir Hotels
Constantine Mitsis, of Mitsis Hotels
Organizational aimsedit
SETE aims constantly at boosting competitiveness and demonstrating the key role of tourism in the Greek economy. More specifically, SETE:
Underlines the impact of tourism on the economy, the society and the environment
Informs the Government, the broader public sector and the business community regarding developments in the international tourism market
Promotes co-operation between public and private sectors
Represents its Members in national and international organizations
Establishes platforms of collaboration among the various tourism branches and between tourism and other sectors of the economy
Co-operates with Greek and international research centres in the fields of tourism and economy
Aims for the creation and dissemination of tourism industry know how
Activitiesedit
Researchedit
SETE positions are based on continuous research, study and analysis of the special features of tourism economy.
SETE:
studies the status and contribution of tourism to Greek economy[2]
proposes measures for the improvement of quality and the competitiveness enhancement
monitors the international developments
analyses the growth of tourism sector in competitor countries
SETE research work is supported per case by its staff, expert consultants and university research centres. The results are disseminated and promoted through publications, seminars and through the web.
sete.gr provides information for professionals and researchers in the wider tourism economy.
SETE offices house a library with Greek and foreign publications on tourism.
Education & Trainingedit
SETE actively supports the work of researchers, experts and students and collaborates with the academic community.
Members of SETE Board of Directors and the Association's Executives are regular speakers and lecturers at events and programs held by partner universities.
SETE proposals regarding tourism training include:
the establishment of tourism studies faculties in Greek universities
the co-ordination between the various levels of studies and tourism education bodies
the continuous education for tourism entrepreneurs and professionals
correlation of market needs with training policies and practices
production of research directly linked to actual tourism needs.
Membershipedit
SETE Members fall into two main categories:
unions of tourism enterprises representing on national level the accommodation, travel, transportation (air, land and sea), exhibitions, conferences and other sectors related to the tourism industry and
enterprises across the entire spectrum of direct and indirect tourism activities, including: hotels, travel agencies, transportation, airlines, car rental, cruise ships, sea-ferries, tourist coach services, yachts, as well as tourist interest companies like banks, business consultants, catering, construction companies, development companies, expo-conference organizers, marketing – management companies, museums, publishing, real estate, restaurants, special tourism infrastructure (golf, marinas, conference centres, exhibitions, etc.), vineyards – wineries.
SETE provides a series of services to its Members, in a joint effort to create a more favourable environment for boosting tourism and entrepreneurship:
Information
SETE Members receive circular documentation, studies and data about markets which concern Greek tourism, and about specific market segments. Moreover, SETE Members are informed on the press releases and the interventions made by SETE to Greek government and the broader public sector.
Participation
SETE Members can be involved in shaping tourism policy positions and proposals by actively participating in the meetings and events held by SETE (General Assemblies, conferences, regional events, business lunches).
Promotion
SETE web pages, events and publications allow for the promotion of businesses and services to selected target groups. SETE Members can be promoted through its regular publications for information purposes, i.e. the SETE Annual Report, the e-newsletter “Corporate Citizenship - Members Activities” and the e-newsletter “Members Business News”.
International presenceedit
Tourism is one of the most significant economic activities in the world and the main field of international competition. SETE is present in the major international fora:
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), as an Affiliate Member since 1993
UNWTO Business Council
Statistics and TSA Committee of the UN World Tourism Organization
International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA), as a member
The Travel Partnership Corporation (TTPC), as a member
Various international committees, working groups and councils, either as a full member or as an observer.
Moreover, SETE cooperates with:
WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council), OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), IMF (International Monetary Fund), IFTO (International Federation of Tour Operators), IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), TYD (Turkish Tourism Investors Association), Egyptian Tourism Federation, Exceltur (Spain), Visit Britain, Maison de la France, IMG Tourism, Tourism Intelligence International, ILM Hospitality & Tourism, IPK International, THR Barcelona, Monitor Group, Mintel, Phocuswright, Tourism Industry Intelligence, Eye for Travel
Referencesedit
^Fottrell, Quentin. "Will the Greek crisis make travel there cheaper?". MarketWatch. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
^Ellwood, Mark. "How the Greek Government's Minimalist Hotels Turned the Islands into a Tourist Hotspot". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2020-11-14.