Episode 13: Travel Industry state of the Union
Tim Ananiadis

Tim Ananiadis has 40 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, with Hyatt Hotels. In 1988, Tim moved to Chicago as the Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Hyatt Hotels with main responsibilities being menu engineering, product development, recruitment, development and implementation of service standards and training, concept development and hotel pre-opening support.
He has served as General Manager at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables and Hyatt Regency Miami. In 1999 he joined Hyatt International as the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki in Greece and later moved to India as the General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Mumbai.
In 2003, Tim joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts returning to Greece as the General Manager/Managing Director at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. In 2006 and until 2017, he was given the additional responsibility of Area Manager for Greece, Turkey, Cyprus & the Balkans overseeing the Starwood affiliated hotels. In his current role, now under the umbrella of Marriot International, he oversees two Legacy Starwood hotels, the complex of the Hotel Grande Bretagne & the King George, Luxury Collection properties, Athens.
He has served as General Manager at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables and Hyatt Regency Miami. In 1999 he joined Hyatt International as the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki in Greece and later moved to India as the General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Mumbai.
In 2003, Tim joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts returning to Greece as the General Manager/Managing Director at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. In 2006 and until 2017, he was given the additional responsibility of Area Manager for Greece, Turkey, Cyprus & the Balkans overseeing the Starwood affiliated hotels. In his current role, now under the umbrella of Marriot International, he oversees two Legacy Starwood hotels, the complex of the Hotel Grande Bretagne & the King George, Luxury Collection properties, Athens.
Plato Ghinos

Plato Ghinos, President of Shaner Hotels joined Shaner Hotels in 1995 involved in the acquisition and development of multiple hotel and restaurant properties and progressed franchise relationships and negotiations with several well-known brands. Plato is the Managing Director of Shaner Italia and is responsible for expanding the company's hotel portfolio in Italy. Most recently, Plato was instrumental in forming a partnership with CS Hospitality in Athens, Greece to expand the hotel portfolio in Greece and Cyprus.
Plato served for 10 years as Executive Vice-President for Federated National, a real estate development group specializing in the management and development of more than 25 hotels, resorts, restaurants and apartment complexes. Plato has extensive experience in sales and marketing, as well as in hotel and restaurant operations.
He is a regular contributor to several industry publications including chapters in the books “Medical Tourism and Wellness” and “Strategic Management for Hospitality and Travel”. Plato is a member of the Old Dominion National Bank Advisory Board, the R E Alpha Advisory Board and most recently has accepted an invitation to become an inaugural member of the Marriott International European Franchise Advisory Council.
Plato served for 10 years as Executive Vice-President for Federated National, a real estate development group specializing in the management and development of more than 25 hotels, resorts, restaurants and apartment complexes. Plato has extensive experience in sales and marketing, as well as in hotel and restaurant operations.
He is a regular contributor to several industry publications including chapters in the books “Medical Tourism and Wellness” and “Strategic Management for Hospitality and Travel”. Plato is a member of the Old Dominion National Bank Advisory Board, the R E Alpha Advisory Board and most recently has accepted an invitation to become an inaugural member of the Marriott International European Franchise Advisory Council.
Christos Perakis

Christos Perakis is the co-founder and CEO of Zoottle, an award-winning, early stage, hospitality company. Prior to Zoottle, Christos spent over 10-years at Apple with executive-level experience in leadership, sales and marketing, where he ultimately managed $2B in revenue. His last role was that of Apple’s Country Business Manager for Greece and Cyprus, owning and managing the business across all RTM (Routes to Market) and LOB (Lines of Business).
He has opened country offices, managed new product introductions, setup distribution networks and managed government relationships.
Christos is a stalwart advocate of Greece’s startup-ecosystem, and is active in helping founding entrepreneurs capitalize their potential through investments and mentorship.
He has opened country offices, managed new product introductions, setup distribution networks and managed government relationships.
Christos is a stalwart advocate of Greece’s startup-ecosystem, and is active in helping founding entrepreneurs capitalize their potential through investments and mentorship.