The future looks green: Eco Tourism in Crete

crete | February 18, 2021

Greece is bestowed with not just a rich culture but also a breathtaking range of natural sites and attractions. With a varied geography, ideal Mediterranean climate and the many islands dotting its seas, Greece is the perfect place for ecotourism to flourish.

The impressive variety of plants, numbering to over 6,000 species and their sub species, contribute immensely to the European botanical field and make Greece a haven for flora. Geographical diversity is at its peak in Greece, a country where you can find birch forests, alpine grasslands, hidden ravines, high mountain peaks estuaries, seasonal rivers and so much more.

This could not be truer for Crete - where hundreds of thousands flock to yearly for a breath of fresh outdoor air. Chania in particular offers the perfect holistic get-away to wake the senses.

Outdoor excursions and nature walks

To get an idea of how rich the biodiversity of Crete is, just consider that Crete has almost as many species and subspecies of plants (about 1750) as the whole of Britain (1450), even if it is an island 35 times smaller in size. This diversity is not only reflected in the total number of species but also in the number of endemic species, which grow only in Crete and nowhere else in the world.

Day after day, more and more wanderers explore the inner parts by foot, by jeep, horse or bicycle. In places like Vamos, Milia, Keramia, Kasteli, Askifou, and Spilia, one can enjoy the Cretan "simple and natural life", with a glass of wine or tsikoudia and scrumptious choices of organic natural food. In Chania there are almost 60 gorges, one of the most famous one being the Samaria Gorge which has been declared a nature reserve since 1962. It is the largest gorge in Europe, 16km in length. The gorge contains rare species of flora and fauna, such as the Cretan wild goat (or kri-kri as the local call it) as well as rare species of eagles and wild birds, which are all protected by international treaties.

United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

Within the Tourism sector, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals aim to address the global challenges of mankind, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice, by offering the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Year after year SeaCrete hotels receive awards for our success in ethical and sustainable practices. These are to safeguard Crete magnificent beauty within nature, but its people too in an ethical and sustainable manner.

The ethos of caring for the community and its people

At SeaCrete Hotels, staff and management have a fundamental responsibility in providing ethical services that respect our environment, fellow citizens & our local community as a whole. Through our policies we are committed to protecting the environment, safeguarding human rights & employees rights. Furthermore there is a responsibility in ensuring health & safety of all that are on premises as well as supporting local communities and the children within them.

Maintaining good and mutual beneficial relationships with the local community is fundamental. As the travel experience of our guests is greatly enriched by the unique characteristics of the surrounding environment and its inhabitants, we need to support and work closely with the local community.

We also consider our employees as our most important asset and therefore focus on their training while providing motivation and support for their professional and personal development. Moreover, we try to maintain a safe work environment of equal opportunities, free from any kind of discrimination.

Energy saving and water use

Energy use is a considerable operating cost and a major source of GHG emissions, which are responsible for human induced climate change. For this reason, we make a great effort to reduce our energy consumption, particularly in areas where fossil fuels are still in use. Water is a vital resource for humans and the natural environment and must be consumed responsibly. For this reason, we make a great effort to reduce our water consumption, particularly in the areas of high use, such as the swimming pools and the gardens.

The use of chemicals

Chemicals are generally very damaging to the natural environment and harmful to the local flora/fauna and even humans. For this reason, we closely monitor their usage and try to limit the quantities consumed to the absolute minimum in all relevant areas, i.e. Kitchen, Housekeeping, Laundries, Swimming pool, Gardens.

Waste produce

Waste management and disposal has become a critical element for our efficient operation and performance. For this reason, we make a great effort to increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste disposed to landfill.

The Responsibility

At SeaCrete Hotels we have a responsibility. We care for the safety and welfare of our employees, guests and the unique surroundings in which we are situated in. Responsibly, ethically, and with care.