Our Evolution

Establishment of Tourism Professions Schools

under the auspices of GNTO, based in Athens

1937
1956
The Higher School of Tourism Education of Rhodes (ASTER) is established.
The Thessaloniki School of Tourism Professions is established.

Initially, the School was accommodated in premises in downtown Thessaloniki.

1956
1958
First official admission of elementary and six-year high school graduates to STE Thessaloniki through written exams.
STE Thessaloniki relocates to Villa "Zana" in the Karabournaki area.
1959
1972
STE Thessaloniki relocates to the SUN BEACH hotel in Agia Triada, operating there until 1984.
Inter-school teacher exchanges begin with renowned Swiss schools.

Top students receive advanced training in Switzerland and at the School of Lyon in France.

1974
1978
Commencement of construction for the "Xenia Helios" training hotel in Perea, Thessaloniki
Culinary departments become co-ed;

the first female student is admitted to the culinary program (Protocol No. 2703).

1982
1984
The school begins operations at the "Xenia Helios" training hotel in Perea, Thessaloniki.
Establishment of the Organization for Tourism Education and Training (OTEK) - a Legal Entity of Public Law (LEPL)
2003
2013
OTEK and secondary Vocational Education Schools are abolished.

The schools are integrated into the Ministry of Tourism as IEK, Re-training Schools, ASTE, and Tour Guide Schools.

The Thessaloniki Tourism Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) is renamed to Macedonia Tourism Institute of Vocational Training (IEK).
2022
2024
The Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) of Macedonia is being transformed into the Experimental Higher Vocational Tourism Training School of Macedonia.
Historically, the following time periods are recorded, regarding education levels:
  1. Elementary Education (1959-1970),
  2. Basic Education (1970-1988) under the name VESTE,
  3. Technical Education (1988 – 1996) under the name TESTE,
  4. Technical Vocational Education (1999 – 2014) as Technical Vocational Education School (TEE) and then as Vocational School (EPAS),
  5. Post-secondary education (2014–present) as an Institute of Vocational Training (IEK), which was subsequently converted into the Experimental Higher Vocational Training School (SAEK) of Tourism of Macedonia.