Interview to Eva Oikonomaki for Euro2day.gr

Meliá Hotels International has already developed an impressive portfolio of hotels in Greece. What are the company’s plans for further expansion in the country over the next five years, and what is the overall strategy for the Greek market?

Greece has long been a strategic market for Meliá Hotels International. Over the next five years, we aim to expand all our brands across the country’s most sought-after destinations. We see strong parallels between the Greek market and our experience in Spain, particularly the Balearic Islands, where the company began more than six decades ago. With this perspective, we are confident in the value we can offer and believe we are well-positioned to become a leading player in Greece, with a substantial number of properties in development.

What are the main reasons you have chosen Greece as a key destination for expanding your operations, especially following the recent opening of the new INNSiDE Crete Elounda?

Greece continues to welcome millions of visitors annually, with tourism showing steady and sustained growth. This consistent demand makes the hospitality sector an increasingly attractive investment opportunity. Additionally, the country is on a strong path of economic recovery, supported by significant infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to regional airports and the expansion of Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, creating an even more favorable environment for business and development.

Does Meliá Hotels International’s development strategy include introducing any of the group’s other brands to the Greek market?

We are not focusing on a single brand, as we see great potential for several Meliá brands to thrive in Greece. Among every three openings planned for 2025 for our group globally, two belong to our luxury portfolio, reflecting the growing demand for high-end hospitality. Ultimately, the choice of brand is determined by each project’s unique characteristics—the destination, the location, the nature of the asset, and our partnership with the investor or owner. 

How do you assess the development of the Greek hospitality sector and Greek tourism in general within the wider international context?

Greek tourism, much like the global hospitality sector, continues to show remarkable momentum driven by sustained demand. The country is drawing strong interest from international investors, in line with other dynamic markets across Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. We’re seeing a clear rise in luxury hotel developments, an expanding room supply, and growing levels of investment—all of which reinforce Greece’s position as one of the most appealing destinations on the global tourism map.

Finally, what are Meliá Hotels International’s broader goals and priorities for the coming years on a global scale?

Over the next three years, as part of our 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, Meliá Hotels International is pursuing its most ambitious expansion to date. We aim to sign more than 8,000 new rooms each year, representing an average of 30 to 40 new hotels annually. These additions, combined with the openings already in our pipeline, will enable us to reach the milestone of 100,000 operational rooms during this period.

This accelerated growth will focus on the leisure and bleisure segments, through Asset-Light models such as management and franchise agreements, with a particular emphasis on the Premium and Luxury categories. Our strategy will also capitalize on the strength of our long-standing relationships with preferred partners.

When it comes to key destinations, we are particularly focused on the leisure axis, concentrating on the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.