Published on
October 4, 2025
Greece is reinventing its vocational tourism education by adopting the successful Swiss hotel-school model, aiming to align with global trends in hospitality and tourism. Drawing inspiration from Switzerland’s renowned approach, which blends hands-on experience with academic knowledge, Greece seeks to prepare students for the evolving demands of the tourism industry. With a growing emphasis on sustainability and innovation, the country is creating a new generation of professionals who are not only skilled but also equipped to lead the sector toward a more responsible and sustainable future. This shift in educational strategy is part of Greece’s commitment to enhancing the quality of tourism training, ensuring its workforce is ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global tourism landscape.
Greece’s relevant governmental ministries are making significant strides toward modernizing the nation’s tourism education system. The goal is to repurpose and upgrade educational facilities across the country, ensuring that tourism education aligns with the current demands of the sector and meets international standards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen Greece’s position as a top tourist destination and further develop its tourism industry.
The project will be implemented across several vocational training institutions throughout the country, with a focus on enhancing educational standards in tourism-related fields. Among the first institutions targeted for the initiative are key vocational training schools located in Anavyssos, Heraklion (Kokkini Hani), and Perea. These Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) will serve as the primary sites for this educational transformation. The plan is to revitalize these facilities by incorporating modern educational practices and state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the evolving needs of the tourism industry.
To facilitate the execution of this plan, the relevant ministries have laid the groundwork through the creation of a joint ministerial decision, which will provide the legal and operational framework necessary for the project’s success. The decision will help streamline the process of transforming the selected educational institutions while also ensuring that the programs offered remain free of charge, in line with Greece’s commitment to public education.
In a recent meeting, the involved ministries discussed the finer details of this joint initiative, which is aimed at improving the overall quality of education and training for future tourism professionals. The emphasis is on integrating modern technology, energy-efficient infrastructure, and high operational standards into the revamped educational facilities, ensuring that the schools remain competitive and meet the expectations of both students and the tourism industry.
A central aspect of this initiative involves utilizing public properties through long-term leasing agreements with international investors, in the context of public-private partnerships. By leasing these properties, the government can inject new capital into the education system while avoiding the financial burden of managing such extensive renovations. The long-term leases, which may span up to 99 years, will help ensure the sustainability of the project. This approach will provide the necessary funds for the modernization of educational infrastructure, which will, in turn, elevate the overall quality of tourism education in the country.
The properties chosen for this initiative are educational buildings that have been licensed for hotel use, adding a unique dimension to the project. The plan is to lease these properties through international tenders, ensuring that the best possible partners are selected to help carry out the renovations and improvements. These long-term agreements will be structured to promote the continued operation of high-quality educational programs, allowing the facilities to operate as both educational institutions and fully functional hotels. This hybrid model aims to combine hands-on experience in the hospitality sector with academic learning, thus ensuring students receive practical training in addition to theoretical knowledge.
Furthermore, the initiative calls for extensive modernization and energy upgrades to these facilities. In addition to improving the aesthetics and functionality of the buildings, the project will focus on making the institutions more energy-efficient, which aligns with global sustainability trends. The upgrades will include the installation of modern energy-saving technologies, such as renewable energy sources and energy-efficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems. This focus on sustainability is expected to enhance the environmental credentials of Greece’s tourism sector, positioning it as a leader in eco-friendly tourism practices.
The ongoing delivery of educational programs is a key component of the plan, with the Ministry of Tourism ensuring that academic curricula will continue uninterrupted. The Ministry will retain full control over the operations and content of the educational programs, guaranteeing that students receive a high-quality education. This structure ensures that the public, tuition-free nature of tourism education remains intact, preserving its accessibility for all students regardless of their financial background.
The new framework encourages the development of integrated models that combine hotel management with educational programs, inspired by international best practices. A notable example of such a model is the “hotel school” concept, which has been successfully implemented in various countries, including Switzerland. The integrated model will allow students to gain practical experience within the hotel environment while pursuing their academic studies. This hands-on approach will ensure that graduates are well-prepared for careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors, equipped with the skills and experience needed to thrive in a competitive global market.
Lease agreements will include specific obligations for the modernization and continuous improvement of the facilities, ensuring that the educational and operational standards are maintained at a high level. These obligations will help guarantee that the properties continue to meet the needs of both students and the tourism industry as a whole. Additionally, the agreements will stipulate that academic programs are delivered without interruption, with a strong focus on maintaining the quality and relevance of the curriculum to meet the ever-changing demands of the tourism industry.
Greece is reshaping its vocational tourism education by adopting the successful Swiss hotel-school model, aiming to equip students with practical skills while aligning with global trends in sustainability and innovation in hospitality. This strategic shift responds to the growing need for qualified professionals capable of leading the tourism industry toward a sustainable future.
By reviving the hotel-school model, Greece’s Ministries of Tourism and Economy aim not only to breathe new life into the country’s educational infrastructure but also to improve the alignment of Greece’s tourism education with international standards. The goal is to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also equipped with practical skills that will make them highly competitive in the global tourism market. Ultimately, this initiative represents a forward-thinking strategy for improving both tourism education and the wider tourism industry in Greece, benefitting local communities and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the country’s tourism sector.
