Tourism & Environment – two opposite worlds or a direct interrelation which must be managed so that it is sustainable in the long term? We at Grecotel believe that the quality of the natural resources and the way they are managed are very important factors defining both short-term profitability and long term sustainability of tourism development.   Since the early 1990’s, the company was the first resort group to create a professional environmental & cultural department, and it is now considered as the leader in the Mediterranean hotel industry for its environmental implementations. From recycling to organic farming – many small steps have been taken in this long journey to reduce the impact of tourism on our environment.   After all, holidays are about beautiful places as well as impeccable hotels.     GRECOTEL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME - MAJOR ASPECTS   Agricultural initiatives include organic vegetables & plants and alternative gardening, the creation of agricultural parks and the promotion of local, biological & traditional products in the hotel restaurants and markets. Waste management, water & energy saving are also major aspects of our 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, Grecotel works to protect the sand dunes coastal eco-system of its hotels, rare plants, as well as the endangered sea turtle Caretta caretta and its habitat.

The hotels work closely with the Archelon (Greek Sea Turtle Protection Society) to ensure that the breeding process is safely continued on the nesting beaches. Finally, Grecotel works on improving public awareness, through targeted communication (personnel, guests, associates & press).     AGRECO: A TRADITIONAL VILLAGE FARM   Grecotel's Agreco farm opened its gates a few months ago, near Adele, Crete. This privately owned 40,000-sq meters estate is an innovative display of environmentally friendly methods for traditional and modern cultivation and breeding. The overall objective is to give visitors a first hand experience of the traditional production methods of traditional Greek products, namely; olive oil, wine, raki, raisins, jam and glazed fruits.   Agreco also serves as an educational institution, opening new ways for the development of agriculture, so it can progressively convey new environmental ideas to the farmers around Crete. Agreco produces ecological products which meet all EU standards, thereby demonstrating that cultivation is possible without the use of chemicals that ultimately pollute the soil, water and our own health. The Agreco project is aimed at preserving Crete's traditional way of cultivating land and therefore has far-reaching cultural implications.