According to the results of 2018, the VIP segment in Greece and Cyprus showed the most impressive growth. As the head of Elion Club, a division of Mouzenidis Group, Roman Sarbash, told the TRN portal, since 2017, the annual growth in the VIP tourism niche has been around 15–17% in monetary turnover.
The main reasons for such growth rates, according to Mr. Sarbash, are the influx of tourists from other destinations, primarily from Turkey, the increase in the number of deluxe category hotels, as well as the growth in the quantity and quality of services provided by hotels.
“If 5 years ago Greece and Cyprus were not associated with ultra-luxurious holidays by clients, today the situation has changed radically, and tourists who traditionally chose more popular resorts in other countries are now reorienting themselves towards Greece and Cyprus,” Roman Sarbash comments on the situation.
The share of investments in Greece and Cyprus in the construction and renovation of deluxe hotels currently reaches 80%. Thus, the vast majority of hotels built or renovated over the past 5-7 years are 5*+. Every year, 3-4 new players enter the market. In Greece, the resorts with the highest concentration of VIP resorts are the Chalkidiki peninsula, the islands of Crete, Corfu and Mykonos, in 2019, the number of such offers will increase significantly in the Athens region and on the island of Kos. In Cyprus, active construction of deluxe hotels is underway in Limassol.
The increase in the share of the VIP segment hotel base is directly proportional to the growth in demand for the corresponding vacation. At the same time, the expectations of clients purchasing a deluxe level tourism product, according to the expert, are constantly growing.
"VIP tourists, first of all, value the quality of service, but in recent years they have given preference to those places where they can get "exclusive" experiences. Be it cuisine from Michelin chefs, or cosmetics and spa treatments developed specifically for a particular hotel, or fitness trainers with a world-famous name. Success in the market no longer depends only on good food and accommodation. Thematic recreation is actively developing, hotels closely cooperate with global brands, adopting experience and applying new service standards," said Mr. Sarbash.
Source: trn-news.ru
