by the Rector of the University of Piraeus, Professor Angelos Kotios and the President of HCH Alexandros Vasilikos, in the presence of the Chair of the Department of Tourism Studies Professor Nikolaos Georgopoulos, the Dean of the School of Economics, Business & International Studies of the University of Piraeus Professor Michalis Sfakianakis, the professor and Director of the M.Sc. & Laboratory of Bioeconomy, Circular Economy & Sustainable Development of the University of Piraeus Constantina Kottaridis, the assistant professor of the Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus Sotiris Varelas and Alexandros N. Angelopoulos CEO of the Aldemar Resorts Group and member of the HCH Board .
The Rector of the University, Piraeus Angelos Kotios emphasized that in the context of the University's extroversion and the need to connect the academic community with the productive powers of Greece, we are signing this Protocol with the HCH, which represents one of the most dynamic branches of our country. This collaboration will be a springboard for the development of the sector with the know-how, expertise and potential of the University, in actions and programs that will be carried out jointly.
The President of HCH, Alexandros Vassilikos stated that there is a strong belief in the cooperation between the educational institutions and the market, especially in the tourism sector, which is of catalytic importance for the development, employment and social cohesion of the country. Knowledge and innovation are today the forces that move hospitality forward and the sector is creating a solid bridge of cooperation with one of the leading academic institutions of the country, the University of Piraeus to jointly answer the needs of today as well as the needs of tomorrow. HCH has always supported the need for a national tourism education and training strategy so that efforts are synchronized and yield the maximum possible benefit for all and especially for young men and women looking for life solutions and career opportunities.

In particular HCH :
1. will provide facts and information to the university in order to support faculty members, researchers and students of the University of Piraeus in their academic work.
2. will provide the University of Piraeus with infrastructure and services in the fields of promotion and communication to cover needs related to its object of activity.
3. will support the events of the University of Piraeus within its capabilities.
4. will utilize the University of Piraeus as a scientific partner in matters related to its object of activity.
5. will utilize the University of Piraeus in training actions for hoteliers and members of the Chamber and in academic subjects related to its activity.
6. will assist in the networking of executives and scientific groups of the University of Piraeus with cooperating parties (bodies, programs, services, chambers, companies, clubs) of the HCH, with the aim of taking initiatives for the development and organization of new collaborations and related actions by submitting European and research programs in fields of common interest.

For it’s part, the University of Piraeus:
1. will be a scientific partner of HCH in matters related to the object of its activity.
2. will provide training infrastructure and contribute to the information of hoteliers who are members of X.E.E. on objects related to the activity of HCH.
3. will provide data and information (studies, surveys) that will support the work of HCH and the Research Institute for Tourism (RIT), which is the research body of the hotel industry and a major partner of HCH.
4. will provide know-how and expertise in matters related to his business object, in support of HCH's activities, HCH's CapsuleT Travel&Hospitality Accelerator, as well as HCH's brand products "GREEK BREAKFAST" and "Boutique hotel".
5. will direct part of the academic research (diplomatic theses, etc.) to needs and research issues related to the activity of the HCH and the Research Institute for Tourism (RIT).
6. will undertake the joint undertaking of initiatives for the development and organization of actions related to the joint submission of European and research programs in scientific fields of common scientific interest.
7. will secure display space or display in HCH sponsor time at UNIPI events.

It is noted that for the implementation of the actions resulting from the cooperation protocol that was signed, individual agreements will be drawn up in which the subject of each cooperation will be specified. The formation of joint working groups is also envisaged.