Neptune Hotels - Resort, Convention Centre & Spa

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

Travelife for Accommodation

Contact Person:

 Larisa Birthwright, larisa@travelife.org

NOMINATED BUSINESS

 Neptune Hotels - Resort, Convention Centre & Spa

Internet contact

 http://www.neptune.gr/

Size of business (if known)

Medium (from 50 to 249)

Category

Serviced accommodation

Country

Greece

Destination, with related protected area(s)

Kos

Contact Person at the nominated business

Odysseas Psarris, marketing.mgr@neptune.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: This property has done an excellent job with integrating local economic support with improving their environmental impacts from food.  They also make efforts to educate their guests about local heritage and sustainable gastronomy, inviting to get involved in various regular sustainable food and beverage experiences, such as cooking classes that feature local produce, and local wine tasting events.

 In 2018 the property set about increasing the volume of food they procure from Kos and the wider Dodecanese island group, thus reducing the carbon emissions from food shipping whilst helping to boost local businesses.  They also set about increasing their purchase of food products that carry a reputable international sustainability certification, such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified fish products and Rainforest Alliance certified ice cream.

Measurable achievements: In 2019 they had:

Increased the food and beverage supplies sourced locally from 13% to 36% per guest night

Reduced the amount of food purchased that is produced outside of Greece from 52% to 34%.

Achieved a 5.7 % reduction in meat per overnight guest stay compared to 2015 to 2018 and correspondingly, achieved a 10.7% increase in vegetables and a 21% increase in fruit purchasing

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.

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.

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.neptune.gr/en/neptune-hotels-en/sustainability