HOTREC and TOPOSOPHY webinar explores ‘new normal’ tourism in urban areas

HOTREC partnered up with TOPOSOPHY on 29 April 2021 to host a seminar on the recovery of urban tourism. The webinar covered the challenges cities and urban hospitality establishments are now facing to restore confidence among visitors and residents and to breathe life back into city centres and neighbourhoods.

Digitalisation, sustainability and innovation were prominent themes throughout the presentations delivered by speakers Amaryllis Verhoeven (European Commission), Peter Jordan and Steve Lowy (TOPOSOPHY), Marie Audren (HOTREC) and Alexandros Vassilikos (President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels). Key messages closely echoed those heard a few days earlier during the European Parliament debate on the recovery of the hospitality sector.

European Commission Head of Unit Amaryllis Verhoeven called for greater transparency and data sharing among cities and local businesses, while hotel sector experts Steve Lowy and Alexandros Vassilikos highlighted how innovation can boost hospitality’s contribution to local well-being and cohesion.