Head of Afkos Industries, Paul Afkos, has developed a new luxury hotel in the town of Kastoria that has given a boost to the townsfolk and the tourism industry in Greece.
The hotel, Afkos Grammos Luxury Collection Boutique Hotel, is the brainchild of Mr Afkos, who wanted to give back to his place of birth.
“It was my duty,” says Mr Afkos. “I wanted the hotel to open early to provide immediate assistance to those people who need work.”
The 60-year-old invested 28 million US dollars in a 109-bed hotel in Kastoria and the development gave 25 families in the area work.
“This is the kind of help that the Greeks of Australia can give,” says Mr Afkos.
The official launch of the hotel will take place on May 26 this year, and Mr Afkos has invited 168 Kastorians of the diaspora to take part. He has also invited prominent Western Australian politicians such as Deputy Premier Dr Kim Hames and former mayor Dr Peter Nattrass.
The hotel, located in the village of Nestoria, overlooks the scenic Aliakmonas River and Grammos Mountains and is just ten minutes from the city. The hotel offers 4-star accommodation including an a la carte restaurant and two cafes.
Mr Afkos was 12 years old when he migrated to Australia from Kastoria but has never forgotten his roots. He migrated to Western Australia where he has become a successful businessman and philanthropist.
He received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2003 and the Prime Minister’s Centenary of Federation Medal in 2001 for services to the business community, the Hellenic community of Western Australia and services to the sport of soccer in Australia. In 1991, Mr Afkos co-founded the A-League side Perth Glory and was deputy chairman, director and shareholder until 2003.