2.2. Sustainable Activities of the Organization

Inherent in Greece’s tourism development policy is the issue of sustainability. Tourism and environment exist in a direct interrelation which must be managed so that it is sustainable in the long term. To be forward looking organizations hotels should acknowledge the importance of sustainable policies. The quality of natural resources and the way they are managed are very important factors defining both short-term profitability and long term sustainability of tourism resources.

One of the most popular and presently the largest eco-label for Hotels and Accommodations is Green Key. It has a national administration center in each participating country. Green key is a non- governmental, non-profit, independent Programme that is recognized and supported by the World Tourism Organization and UNEP, or United Nations Environment Programme. Green Key aims to raise the awareness of leisure establishment staff and clients, increase the use of sustainable methods of operation and technology, run ecologically sound and responsible businesses and thereby reduce resource and energy usage.

Travelife is another example of an international sustainability certification scheme for hotels and accommodations. Travellife helps them to improve how they manage their environmental and social impacts, such as reducing their energy or water consumption, and ensuring they support local people, businesses and culture. The Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations certification criteria also covers issues like human rights, child protection and employee welfare helping to ensure they operate fair practices and are working to protect their guests, employees and the local community where they operate.

Aktia Lounge Hotel & Spa proved that it meets the Travelife sustainability criteria, became certified and received a Travelife Gold Award. The management of the hotel understands the necessity of sustainable behavior and makes first steps in leading more ecologically responsible business. As a big five star hotel featuring spa it uses a lot of electricity, water and other resources to operate on a daily basis. As a result of this awareness the hotel uses the special system of heating water from the sun thereby electricity is being saved. Also for lightning less costly LED light bulbs that are aimed to save electricity costs are used in the hotel.

In the author’s opinion, there is a lot more that the hotel needs and can do in order to strengthen their environmental policies. Many of these things are basic eco-friendly elements such as substitution of plastic glasses with paper ones and the use of BIO. As an additional recommendation, the hotel could create a professional environmental & cultural department that would deal with various environmental implementations. It could impose practices to reduce the impact of tourism on our environment and deal with various questions from recycling to organic farming. This department would take on agricultural initiatives including organic vegetables, plants and alternative gardening, the creation of agricultural parks and the promotion of local, biological and traditional products in the hotel restaurants and markets. Waste management, water and energy saving are also major aspects of the environmental policy. Pollution control includes waste-water management, water ionisation systems, regular microbiological and chemical analyses of the water, use of environmentally friendly cleaning products. In the field of sustainable coastal management, Aktia could work to protect rare plants, as well as endangered sea species and its habitat.

Finally, Aktia could start working on improving public awareness, through targeted communication (personnel, guests, associates & press).