Greece is set to launch a pioneering sustainability certification scheme for its hospitality sector, marking a significant shift towards greener tourism practices.
- This initiative will cover all three to five star hotels, showcasing Greece’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
- Greek tourism aims to extend its peak travel season into shoulder months, offering budget-friendly options for travellers.
- The Greek National Tourism Organisation emphasises the importance of investing in sustainable tourism strategies.
- The scheme will initially collaborate with the Greek hoteliers association, favouring internal management over international frameworks.
Greece is taking a bold step towards sustainability in its tourism industry with the introduction of a certification scheme for hotels, targeting all establishments ranging from three to five stars. This initiative, presented at Abta’s Travel Convention, is a response to the growing necessity for sustainable tourism development, as emphasised by Eleni Skarveli, UK and Ireland director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation. The scheme is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic move towards redefining Greece’s tourism offerings to attract eco-conscious travellers.
In a statement, Skarveli underscored the essential nature of creating new investments under sustainable criteria, highlighting the broader aim of making all future tourism development sustainable. Despite acknowledging the challenges, she reiterated the importance of embracing sustainability beyond just five-star hotels. “It will be a bit challenging. Sustainability is something we need to embrace, not just in five-star hotels. That takes a lot of time but we feel that with the right partners we can do this,” she stated, pointing out the broad engagement required across the hotel spectrum.
The sustainability certification will not align with existing international standards, as the plan involves a new, internally managed system in collaboration with the Greek hoteliers association. This tailored approach aims to meet the specific needs and conditions of Greece’s tourism landscape, setting a national standard that reflects local contexts and practices rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all international scheme.
As part of this strategic shift, Greece is also working on broadening its tourism appeal by promoting lesser-known locations alongside its famous islands and cities. By extending the tourist season into March and November, the country offers less crowded and more cost-effective travel options, appealing particularly to those able to avoid peak holiday periods. This approach not only supports sustainable tourism by distributing visitor numbers more evenly throughout the year, but it also contributes to local economies during typically quieter periods.
Greece’s innovative sustainability initiative is poised to set a new benchmark in eco-friendly tourism, reflecting its forward-thinking commitment to a greener future.
