Kinsterna Hotel

Boosting Sustainable Tourism Through Certification

EUROPEAN GOOD PRACTICE COLLECTION 2021

NOMINATION FORM

Please send until 6^th August 2021 to (herbert.hamele@ecotrans.de / cc diego.nunez@ecotrans.de)

NOMINATING CERTIFICATE

Name

Contact Person:

 Name, email: Ismini Papadaki, marketing@kinsternahotel.gr

NOMINATED BUSINESS

 Name

Internet contact

 https://www.kinsternahotel.gr/en/

Size of business (if known)

Small (from 10 to 49)

Category

Serviced accommodation, 5 star hotel

Country

Greece

Destination, with related protected area(s)

Name of the destination:

Monemvasia, Peloponnese

Name of protected area(s) and/or major cultural heritage site(s) (if not the same name as the destination):
Rock of Monemvasia
Elafonisos (European network of protected areas NATURA 2000)

Gerakas fjord, the southernmost fjord in Europe

Contact Person at the nominated business

Name, email: Ismini Papadaki, marketing@kinsternahotel.gr

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS

according to following SDGs on Tourism4SDGs.org:

Please indicate very briefly their exemplary or innovative actions and measurable achievements (including quantified results if known)

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

The tourism sector needs to adopt sustainable consumption and production (SCP) modes, accelerating the shift towards sustainability. Tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for tourism including for energy, water, waste, biodiversity and job creation will result in enhanced economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

·        Gardens filled with native plants and herbs

·        Swimming pools filled with fresh running water from the cistern

Measurable achievements:

·        Local, all-natural personal-care products

·        Use of local, natural building materials: slate, cypress wood, pebbles, marble, old hand-made tiles and ceramics, reeds from nearby wetlands

·        Use of local ingredients in our kitchen: garden produce, meat, chicken, herbs, wine, olive oil, etc.

·        Production of: red, white and rose wine, organic olive oil, tsipouro, table olives and biological hand soap

·        Use of local organic products and free-range meats

·        Spa therapies inspired by traditional local ingredients like rosemary, honey

·        Program for recycling towels, etc.

·        Natural, ecological sheets and linens from Coco-mat

·        Composting of kitchen and garden waste

·        Bio-treatment of organic waste

·        Promotion of hiking trails of the region

·        Promotion of biking

·        International “Green Key” certification 

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Tourism contributes to and is affected by climate change. Tourism stakeholders should play a leading role in the global response to climate change. By reducing its carbon footprint, in the transport and accommodation sector, tourism can benefit from low carbon growth and help tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Measurable achievements:

SDG 14 – Life below Water

Coastal and maritime tourism rely on healthy marine ecosystems. Tourism development must be a part of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in order to help conserve and preserve fragile marine ecosystems and serve as a vehicle to promote a blue economy, contributing to the sustainable use of marine resources.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Measurable achievements:

SDG 15 – Life on Land

Rich biodiversity and natural heritage are often the main reasons why tourists visit a destination. Tourism can play a major role if sustainably managed in fragile zones, not only in conserving and preserving biodiversity, but also in generating revenue as an alternative livelihood to local communities.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

 Preservation of local cultural and architectural heritage

Highlighting local attractions and history of the region

Support local farmers, fishermen and craftsmen

For many centuries, this property, which later witnessed the revival of Kinsterna manor, was a model of autonomy and sustainability, functioning harmoniously within a rich and lively natural environment. Fed by abundant flowing water from natural springs, the estate nourished the people living on it and undoubtedly contributed to the local economy, as shown by historical archives from the Byzantine and Ottoman years.
These traditional practices and occupations – from a time when communities were economically independent – lie at the heart of Kinsterna’s model of sustainability and of its owners’ philosophy and vision. With special emphasis on reviving and strengthening these ancient practices (harvesting grapes and making wine and tsipouro, gathering olives and producing olive oil, baking bread, making soap, weaving fabric on the traditional loom, etc.), the owners have consciously made great efforts to ensure that the local community and wider region will benefit from this impressive model of sustainability.

Measurable achievements:

Promotion of local history and culture (visiting Kinsterna’s library)

Revival of local traditions like soap making and baking bread in the wood fired oven

Revival of local cuisine with traditional recipes served in all of our outlets

During the restoration process, a great deal of original and local materials were used: cypress wood, reeds from nearby wetlands, slate slabs for paving and roofs, handmade ceramic elements from Geraki, old Pendelic marble, hand-made forged iron doors and various antique items such as lanterns, chandeliers, chairs, etc. Many craftsmen from the surrounding region, whose skills have been handed down from generation to generation, contributed their passion and know-how to this masterpiece as well.

SDG 8 - Decent work and Economic Growth

Tourism, as services trade, is one of the top four export earners globally, currently providing one in ten jobs worldwide. Decent work opportunities in tourism, particularly for youth and women, and policies that favour better diversification through tourism value chains can enhance tourism positive socio-economic impacts.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Hiring local staff

50/50 gender balance

Instilling a feeling of pride and ownership among staff and employees

Helping to raise the quality of tourism in the region

Measurable achievements:

Hiring local staff from the region account 90% of our employees

Another important pillar of Kinsterna’s philosophy is based on a cultivation and celebration of the human element in warm, sincere and welcoming hospitality – a well-known point of pride throughout Greece. Visitors to Kinsterna may be surprised by the friendly (and at the same time consummately professional) attitude and performance of the entire staff, who are genuinely eager to welcome visitors to this little corner of paradise in the southern Peloponnese. This is their home, and it gives them both pride and pleasure to share it with our guests.

SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals

Due to its cross-sectoral nature, tourism has the ability to strengthen private/public partnerships and engage multiple stakeholders – international, national, regional and local – to work together to achieve the SDGs and other common goals. Public policy and innovative financing are at the core for achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Measurable achievements:

Link to further information about the nominated business (if available):

https://www.kinsternahotel.gr/en/History-Philosophy-446.htm