Establishment of the Advisory Board for the MSc in Tourism Management

We are truly excited to announce the establishment of the Advisory Board for the MSc in Tourism Management.

An Advisory Board is a systematic and creative approach for our school to engage with external advisors and experts in the tourism industry. The idea is to exchange insights on strategic objectives and challenges of the tourism industry and at the same time strengthen the Business School's links with the tourism corporate world.

The MSc in Tourism Advisory Board Members have been selected for being business professionals and institutional representatives relevant to the Academic Program. Members are reputable and highly acknowledged practitioners with extended experience in the tourism industry. The insights they provide are considered essential to the strategic development and international expansion of the Program.

The establishment of the Advisory Board for the MSc in Tourism Management is a collaborative effort by Alba Graduate Business School, to maintain open communication channels between students, faculty, industry practitioners and institutional representatives.

More specifically, the Board’s functions include:

• Assisting with the review of the Academic Program’s strategic positioning in its market, considering the new trends and challenges in the industry.
• Supporting the Academic Program in the implementation of its strategic goals.
• Understanding the current needs and challenges faced by professionals in the tourism industry.
• Giving feedback on the existing program of studies in terms of student profile, content, learning objectives and skills that are needed for those who wish to build a successful career as tourism professionals.
• Identifying key issues in the recruitment and development of talents in the tourism industry, developing relevant strategies.
• Encouraging the exploration of innovative activities for strengthening the existing professional network.

Τhe Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting, in a hybrid form, on March 17th, 2021

During this first meeting, a discussion was held on the philosophy, vision, values, content, structure and activities of the Program. The profile of the current student, as well as the skills and knowledge of the ideal professional were discussed.

Members of the advisory board discussed with Dr. Baralou and Dean Axarloglou about the strategic positioning of the program, targeting two types of potential students: those practitioners who already hold a managerial position, but lack the academic and professional skills and those students who are about to graduate or have recently graduated, have a strong academic background, but limited if no work experience.

Moreover, the Board members exchanged views on how to attract talents in the tourism industry, as the people gap is considered to be one of the main challenges of the industry. Several recommendations were made, in order to increase the interest in a professional career in the tourism industry. The need for Alba to join forces with the tourism corporate world and institutional representatives was discussed towards raising the awareness of young people on the opportunities of studying and working in the tourism industry. It is anticipated that the establishment of the Advisory Board for the MSc in Tourism Management is a step towards the provision of relevant knowledge, critical thinking, analysis and reflection to strengthen the tourism industry.

MSc in Tourism Management Advisory Board Members in alphabetical order: 

• Mr Markos Giannisopoulos, Area Manager, Expedia
• Ms Elena Gkika, Director of Human Resources, Costa Navarino
• Ms Emmanouela Karamali, Human Resources Manager, Aegean
• Mr. Giorgos Koutsokostas, Director of Learning & Development · INSETE
• Ms Lilian Labropoulou, Director of People and Culture, Four Seasons
• Mr Konstantinos Santikos, Managing Director, Santikos Collection
• Mr Dimitris Valergas, HR Director, Grand Hyatt Athens
• Mr Alexandros Vassilikos, President, Hellenic Chamber of Hotels
• Ms Lia Zampetoglou, Group Head of Learning & Talent Development, Sani Resort / Ikos Resorts