Having entered its new stage of development, MITSIS HOTELS Group was honoured with the “Green Key” quality eco-label for tourism. The label was awarded to all of the 17 luxury hotels of the Group, in Athens, Rhodes, Kos, Crete and Kamena Vourla.
As reported by the Group’s CEO, Mr. Stavros Mitsis, «our Group, focusing on the needs of the modern traveler and abiding by the latest international standards, is constantly evolving its product, offering the Greek tourist market added value, excellent service and a comprehensive hospitality blend – premium, luxury, city & resort, all-inclusive & half-board hotels».
Green Key is presently the largest global eco-label for accommodation, adopted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 2002, with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism worldwide.
The criteria of Green Key involve Environmental Management and Environmental Education programmes, aimed at empowering tourism actors, including enterprises, authorities, guests and local communities adhere to national and international standards.
Specifically, the criteria for granting the “Green Key” eco-label reflect the various fields of tourism facilities (hotels, hostels, camp sites, conference and holiday centres) and focus on environmental management, technical demands, and initiatives for the involvement of guests, staff and suppliers, covering 11 distinct categories:
- Environmental management
- Involvement and awareness of staff & guests
- Water management
- Waste management
- Energy
- Food & beverages
- Indoor environment
- Surrounding environment and parking areas
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Administration
- Green activities
According to the National Green Key Coordinator Mrs. Natassa Antonopoulou, “Ecology equals economy and vice versa. Through the proposed practices, a significant reduction of operating costs is now possible. By no means does saving mean a reduction in the quality of the tourist product”.
Finally, the cooperation of MITSIS HOTELS with the Green Key Programme forms part of the green growth strategy of the Group and aims to empower the best environmental practices in the Greek tourist market. The results from the implementation of the programme are expected to be announced at the end of the 2017 tourist season.
