The Hotel Animation Market in Greece: Challenges and Perspectives

Nikolaos Mantzios1 & Eleni Glinia2

1Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece

2Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

The aim of this study was generally to collect evidence from small scale but wide spread published re- search and papers regarding hotel animation in Greece. More specific, this review focused on determining (a) the hotel animation market in Greece (b) the profile of the participants and (c) profile of the providers of animation services (d) the problems and perspectives that are open to this service area. The literature review showed that there are hundreds of hotels that offer animation programs in Greece and the hoteliers consider it as an important service for the revenue and for customer retention. The participants of this service are young people mostly traveling with families, who participate for social interaction, health and wellness. Employees are overwhelmingly non-Greek citizens, mostly young women, with middle educational back- ground who work as animateurs occasionally. The most important challenges for animation are product ser- vice quality and recruitment. In general, authors and researchers are consistent that there exist great oppor- tunities for advancement in animation services through development of cooperation, educational programs and systematic market research.

Key words: hotel animation, sport and recreation holidays, hotel entertainment, animateur, sport tourism