At the time, the collection included two luxury hotel properties, Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel and Canaves Oia Suites (pictured above). His passion for travel and people made him a natural ambassador for the brand, which has always empowered its staff to authentically connect with guests.
Markos proved to be an ambitious Managing Director: In his 13 years leading Canaves Oia, he has grown the brand to include a collection of luxury villas and two more hotels, including one built from scratch in a new part of Oia. He also elevated the level of service and offerings and has plans for continued expansion in the coming years.
Under Markos' leadership, the Boutique Hotel and Suites properties underwent their second full renovations. In 2017, Canaves Oia Sunday Suites was launched. And in 2018, the brand introduced Canaves Oia Epitome, its first resort built from scratch, this one with earth tones and stone walls in place of the white-stucco aesthetic. That year, the three-villa complex of Eden Villas rounded out the portfolio with a complex ideal for small groups or families looking for the utmost privacy. Marko's inquisitive spirit always seeks for new things so the hotels get updates and renovations every year in order to provide the best experience for guests.
Markos's enthusiasm for the family business has kept the Canaves brand on the cutting edge, evolving into a luxury collection of five distinct boutique properties with regular recognition in top travel awards. He attributes this success in part to the concept of "philoxenia," a love of strangers and eagerness to show hospitality that he says is part of his Greek DNA.
The Hotelier of the Year Award recognition was given to Markos during the 35th annual Virtuoso Travel Week, which took place August 12-18 in Las Vegas. He was honored among the network's most esteemed travel agencies, advisors and preferred partners, who set the standard in their given category.
Virtuoso's Hotelier of the Year award recognizes an experienced hotel manager who demonstrates unparalleled leadership and vision, an unrelenting passion for the industry, an engaged commitment to the network of Virtuoso travel advisors and an astute appreciation for detail. Hotelier of the Year recipients are known throughout the Virtuoso network by advisors, members and their guests for their warmth, their professional standards and the way they make their property stand out in every way.
