Over 100 representatives of national tourism associations from all over Europe participate in the 91st HOTREC General Assembly, being hosted this year by the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE) between October 15 and 17, in Paphos.
According to an announcement by PASYXE, the General Assembly is being hosted in Cyprus this year, ‘at a particularly important juncture’ as Cyprus is preparing to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
“This further strengthens the institutional and political significance of this year’s General Assembly, making it a point of reference for the European dialogue on the future of hospitality,’ it adds.
Cyprus is a great example of the transformative power of hospitality, which turns natural beauty, history and people’s warmth into a driver for growth and employment, HOTREC President, Alexandros Vassilikos, said in his welcome address on Thursday.
He said that the sector represents two million businesses across Europe – hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars ‘where the European hospitality spirit comes to life every day, connecting cultures, safeguarding the European way of life, supporting local communities and creating prosperity for all.’
Referring to Cyprus’ EU Presidency next year, Vassilikos expressed the conviction that the Cypriot Presidency could – among other priorities – help shape Europe’s competitiveness agenda, champion the needs of SMEs across the continent and play a significant role in further recognising the significance of the hospitality sector at the EU level.
In statements to journalists, he said they would discuss crucial issues at the General Assembly, including coordination for representation actions and the formation of common positions on issues related to development and innovation in the hospitality sector.
Vassilikos also referred to concerns about the holiday rentals platforms. ‘We live in an economy that has become globalized and in which there are big players who control the markets,’ he said, adding that it is very important that there is a balance in the market through European legislation.
Short-term rentals are also, as he said, an issue that causes concern at a European level ‘and we have done a lot’. Vassilikos also referred to the lack of human resources. These, he said, were the main issues, that would be discussed, among other things, during the two-day event.
Deputy Minister of Tourism ?ostas Koumis said that it was ‘a great honour’ that the event is being held in Cyprus.
In his statements to journalists arriving at the event, Koumis said that during the conference it is expected to discover issues that concern both the hotel industry and the industry, which is part of the broader catering sector.
President of the Cyprus Hotel Association, Thanos Michaelides, in his address, said that Cyprus is a country with a long-standing hospitality tradition, while that Paphos, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and ‘one of Europe’s most storied coastal cities’, was ‘a fitting backdrop for our discussions: a city that blends rich history with modern tourism infrastructure, and one that continues to evolve as a year-round destination.’
At the same time, he added, there are ‘deep and persistent challenges’, chief among them, labour and skills shortages, ‘a reality that has intensified in the post pandemic era’. This is not just a Cypriot or European issue; it is a global concern, he noted, adding that the tourism and hospitality sectors are expanding ‘at an impressive pace’, but that, across Europe, the demand for skilled labour now exceeds supply.
‘The migration of labour from third countries, once a key buffer, is expected to decline, as emerging economies develop their own tourism infrastructure and retain more of their skilled workforce’, Michaelides said. In this new reality, he added, labour costs are rising, profit margins are under pressure, ‘forcing us to rethink how we work and whom we attract.’ He also noted the rising cost of energy and food, due to ongoing geopolitical disruptions.
Michaelides also said that HOTREC continues to be a vital forum for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective advocacy. ‘In times of transformation and fragmentation, we need a strong, unified voice at the European level, one that reflects the needs of our businesses, our people, and our communities,’ he said.
The two-day programme includes discussions and presentations on the future of tourism and hospitality, on hospitality trends in Europe, on workforce challenges, and EU policy, among other things.