Alpha Bank on Wednesday announced the launch of a procedure to sell a majority stake (around 97.3 pct) in the equity capital of Ionian Hotel Enterprises SA, owner and manager of Hilton Athens hotel.

It has been reported that Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis is set to acquire the Athens Hilton Hotel from Ionian Hotels, an Alpha Bank subsidiary.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to arrive in Athens this Friday.