PHOTO: © GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION

THE BASICS
Name: Andreas N. Fiorentinos
Title: Secretary general
Company, city: Greek National Tourism Organization, Ministry of Tourism; Athens, Greece

As a child, what job did you want to have when you grew up? I always knew I would be a hotelier, even when my father didn’t want me to go into the business. I was proud to carry on the tradition my grandfather started.

Fun fact about yourself: I’m originally from Clearwater, Florida, and attended Eckerd College.

If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why? I would visit Ecuador to see the Galápagos Islands. I would love to reconnect with a friend in Quito, and we could experience the Galápagos together. I’ve dreamed of going for a long time.

A LITTLE BIT MORE
What two nonessential items would you want if you were on a deserted island?
I would take a spear gun and fire, although those sound essential. Perhaps I could find a way to make them nonessential and a bit more entertaining.

What person or experience most influenced your choice of career?
I never met my grandfather, but he was the first hotelier in my family from Mykonos. His first hotel launched in 1924, and it’s always been an inspiration because of the ethos. He was a strong example of working hard through difficult times, and I chose my career because of the stories my family shared about him.

What is your favorite song, and/or who is your favorite musician/band?
I loved Terrence Trent D’Arby when I was younger … still my favorite.

If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or back to the past? Why?
I lost my first son to cancer, and I would love to go back and see him once again. What a gift that would be.

THE BUSINESS
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership is personal. I go beyond business and tend to be involved in the lives and the stories of those who work around me. I’m very open as well, very straightforward. What you see is what you get, whether I’m leading or in my personal life.

What predictions do you have for the travel industry over the next year?
I believe travel will continue to expand and slow tourism will grow. Now, more than ever, people need time for culture, and Greece is the authentic choice for slow tourism. This is a trend that is here to stay. What is your or your team’s proudest professional achievement? As a third- generation hotelier in Mykonos, being appointed to this position is the best reward.

What project are you currently working on?
Balancing the infrastructure needed as we continue branding Greece as a must-see tourism destination

AS A TRAVELER
What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned about customer service?
Not everyone agrees, but in the hospitality industry, our job is customer service. That’s why I agree with the phrase, “The customer is always right.”

What’s the first vacation you can remember taking?
Our family was busy with the hotel in season, and during the wintertime we didn’t travel because of too many other obligations. I don’t remember taking a vacation until many years later when I was on my own.

What are your travel pet peeves?
I don’t have any.

Share your favorite travel experience: I like to go off-roading, and my favorite place is Epirus. It’s intriguing, unique; you end up in a stone village with authentic cuisine. My wife and I enjoy relaxing, dancing with a fireplace nearby, some spanakopita and a glass of wine.