Greece is gearing up to introduce a sustainability certification scheme for its hotels, marking a significant development in the country’s tourism sector. This initiative will focus on city breaks, the islands, and lesser-known locales, aiming to boost sustainable tourism.
The Need for Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability in tourism is increasingly crucial as destinations worldwide grapple with the impact of travel on the environment and local communities. Greece is no exception, recognising that sustainable development is vital. This new certification scheme reflects a global trend towards more eco-friendly hospitality solutions.
Eleni Skarveli, UK and Ireland director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, emphasised sustainability as a ‘necessity’ for future tourism developments. Speaking at Abta’s Travel Convention, she highlighted the need for new investments to align with sustainable principles to ensure long-term viability for the tourism sector.
Details of the Certification Scheme
The proposed certification system will cover three to five-star hotels, creating a comprehensive framework to assess and promote sustainability in the hotel industry. Skarveli mentioned that they aim to implement this system internally, starting with the Greek hoteliers association.
This approach underscores Greece’s commitment to setting independent standards, rather than relying on existing international schemes. The focus is on tailoring the certification to the unique characteristics and needs of Greece’s tourist destinations.
Challenges in Implementation
Embracing sustainability in tourism is not without its challenges. The certification process will require significant effort from hoteliers to meet the outlined criteria, which may involve altering operations.
Skarveli acknowledged the challenges, noting, ‘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.’
Her statement indicates a recognition of the obstacles ahead but also highlights a determined approach to achieve these sustainable goals. Collaboration with partners will be a key factor in overcoming these hurdles and successfully rolling out the scheme.
Expanding the Tourism Season
Part of Greece’s broader strategy is to extend its tourism season, traditionally peaking in summer months, into March and November. This aims to offer tourists more affordable options and less crowded resorts during off-peak times.
By focusing on lesser-known areas, the initiative also seeks to disperse the tourist traffic more evenly across the country, alleviating pressure on popular sites while promoting diverse experiences.
This strategy aligns with global sustainable tourism practices, which increasingly encourage tourists to explore less-visited destinations to prevent over-tourism in hotspots.
Impact on the Hospitality Sector
The hospitality sector stands to benefit greatly from the introduction of the sustainability certification. Hotels that achieve certification can attract eco-conscious tourists, enhancing their reputation and potentially increasing profitability.
There is an opportunity for hotels to market themselves as leaders in sustainability, differentiating their services in a competitive market. This can create a new niche within the Greek tourism industry specifically catering to environmentally-aware travellers.
Additionally, the certification process can lead to cost savings in operations through more efficient resource management and reduced waste.
Greece’s Confidence in Tourism Growth
Despite challenges, Greece remains optimistic about tourism growth. By investing in sustainable practices and promoting lesser-known areas, the country hopes to attract a new wave of responsible tourists who value sustainability.
Skarveli expressed confidence in Greece’s potential to grow its tourism sector sustainably, with these changes anticipated to yield long-term benefits and enhance the country’s appeal as a year-round destination.
This confidence is reinforced by Greece’s robust tourism infrastructure, which can support the expansion of sustainable initiatives effectively across various regions.
Conclusion of the Initiative
Overall, Greece’s initiative to introduce a sustainability certification scheme for hotels marks a forward-thinking step in its tourism strategy. By embracing sustainable tourism, Greece not only aims to protect its environment and cultural heritage but also to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness in the global tourism market.
This certification scheme represents Greece’s proactive approach to sustainable tourism, aligning with global trends and positioning the country as a leader in eco-friendly travel. By focusing on long-term viability, Greece aims to attract responsible tourists while preserving its natural and cultural assets.
