Inside HVS
Personality Profile of the Month - Themis Trakas
The fictional character of Eloise captured the imagination of millions of readers based
upon
her elegant address. The idea of a little girl
residing at w hat some people refer to as the ”Greatest Hotel in the World”, the Plaza Hotel located in New York City, w as a divine escape from the mundane.
Fashioned after a French Chateau with a marble lobby, mahogany doors and 1,650 crystal chandeliers, the Plaza is quite unique … .. and w hat could be more fun than dining at the Palm Court on rainy days? Today, an oil painting of Eloise hangs outside this restaurant, and is visited by many elegant ladies-w ho-lunch holding the hands of their darling granddaughters.
Well, HVS’ own Themis Trakas experienced childhood at numerous five-star luxury hotels including Sheratons, Mandarin Orientals, Fairmonts, Carltons, and Hiltons as he traveled the globe with his father, an Olympic Airways Boeing 747 captain.
As a military and civil aviation pilot for 41 years, Themis’ dad infected his young son with a fascination for aircraft and aviation as they regularly visited New York, Toronto, Montreal, Singapore, Johannesburg, and Sydney. Themis dreamt of following in his father’s footsteps as a pilot, having become quite comfortable in the cockpit.
However, as he neared the end of his high school years in the late 80’s, his father recommended that he explore the idea of pursuing a career in the hotel industry. Upon serious reflection, he had vivid memories of the hostelries where they had stayed, and this suggestion began to percolate in his thinking.
After
completing his
mandatory military service, Themis enrolled in the Swiss Alpine Center hotel
school of higher education based in Greece in 1989 to determine if the hospitality industry would be a good fit. For the next six
years, he pursued his education
in Greece, Switzerland, and the U.S.A., followed by a
2-year program for an MBA in 2001. Everything
clicked, and he garnered 10 years of experience
in hotel operations,
ultimately finding himself in an ideal
position to accept
the offer from HVS in Athens in 2006.
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| At 15, Themis was at home in the cockpit of a Boeing 747 cruising over the Atlantic Ocean on the way to NYC from Athens, Greece, with his father, the Captain! |
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| Paris Air Show |
Demetris Spanos, Managing Director of HVS Athens, gives Themis the highest accolades, “Themis is a definite asset for our office. He was the first to join the group, when the legal entity of the HVS Athens was originally introduced. He is enthusiastic and knowledgeable regarding the industry. I can always depend on Themis to produce a quality assignment, and he is always willing to share his expertise with his colleagues. His sense of humor puts things in perspective. I really trust this individual and I consider him as a member of my family."
Still passionate about discovering new world venues, HVS has provided Themis with amazing opportunities. The most exciting destinations, and the assignments he has particularly enjoyed, include Morocco which he visited on three separate occasions in 2008; Kuwait, Mauritius; Antigua; the City of Pozzuoli in Italy; Tel Aviv; and Croatia.
Though he did not fulfill his youthful fantasy of becoming a pilot, Themis developed a strong enthusiasm
for aviation photography. He is an avid fan of military air shows and while living in the United States from 1992 to 2003, his weekends were devoted to traversing the East Coast to attend every
air show scheduled
to photograph the exciting exhibitions.
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| Themis is serving as Vice President of the Cornell Hotel Society, Pan-Hellenic Chapter in Greece. |
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| Greek Mirage 2000 Fighter Jet |
Sybil Hofmann, President International Programmes at Swiss Alpine Center, The Swiss Business School for International Hotel & Tourism and Director at City Unity College/International Hospitality & Tourism Management Department, says about Themis:
“Themis Trakas is an exemplary alumnus that is the dream of every college. We were so happy to have Themis as a student in the very first two years of his formation in the field of hotel management after which he transferred to our Swiss school in Switzerland to complete the third year of his studies. His ultimate dream was to have a Cornell education and that’s where he headed next. Working in the US was another goal he had set and he further combined this with furthering his education to the MBA level in New York. What happened next is he planned to return to Greece, a great move because Greece needs such professionals to drive its hospitality industry to newer heights. Themis lost no time in visiting his alma mater and offering his services. He was appointed as a member of the Advisory Board and not only. He joined the academic team as a guest lecturer, launching second year students into their Integrated Project at the beginning of the year, counselling them during the year, and acting as a panelist at the end of the year when the teams presented their projects.
I have no words to describe Themis’ commitment, devotion and loyalty to his first alma mater, Alpine Center!! I only wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to a young man who believes in the future of the tourism industry in Greece and in contributing to the professional development of the new generation of hospitality management professionals".
I have no words to describe Themis’ commitment, devotion and loyalty to his first alma mater, Alpine Center!! I only wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to a young man who believes in the future of the tourism industry in Greece and in contributing to the professional development of the new generation of hospitality management professionals".
admissions@swissalpinecenter.com
