At the end of September 2023, a research was completed by 3win Action on behalf of the Hotel Employees Association of the Prefecture of Heraklion with the support of the Region of Crete. More than 2.000 hotel workers participated anonymously. The research concerned working conditions in the hotels of Crete. It was followed by a discussion and analysis of the findings with all the stakeholders involved in the field, and then a study was drawn up for the institutionalization of work criteria in the categorization procedure (star rating). The study has already been submitted to the Hotel Chamber of Greece, to the co-competent Ministries of Tourism and Labor as well as to all stakeholders.

See the research findings and the full study here

The action aims at a triple benefit: for the employees, the hotels and the local community.

For hotel employees: We seek to create a framework that will ensure appropriate training, meritocracy, equal opportunities for access to work and the possibilities of advancement in it, safeguarding health and safety conditions, ensuring fair and adequate wages, delimiting working hours at reasonable levels, the decompression of work due to lack of staff, the limitation of uninsured employment, other benefits (accommodation, food & transfer) in decent conditions, the prevention of workplace intimidation, sexual or racial segregation and the feeling of safety and recognition.

For hotels: Solving the problem of staff shortage, creating conditions that will improve employee efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction, increasing per capita consumption, improving corporate presence, branding hotel businesses with good practices and appropriate working environment, strengthening their economic viability and preparing them for ESG criteria based on EU directives.

For the local community: The upgrade of the destination and the overall touristic product. Job satisfaction and the right working environment have as their first recipient the visitor who will enjoy better services and is always the best ambassador of the region. This leads to an extension of the season, returning visitors, an upgrade in the "economic level" of visitors. Stimulation of the local market outside of hotels. The quality upgrade also pairs with the use of local products and materials in the hotels, absorbing local production. Finally, a good working environment contributes to social balance by improving mental and physical health, increasing purchasing power channelled into the local market and a number of other ways.

See the research findings and the full study by clicking here