Sustainability

WE OPERATE RESPONSIBLY

TML Candia Maris Resort supports the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out in the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and actively contributes to national and international efforts to implement them.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We monitor, analyse and review our sustainability goals

At TML Candia Maris Resort, sustainable development is a key priority, and its progress is actively monitored and reviewed by the Group's Sustainability Committee via the TML Candia Maris Resort's Management Team. The Committee plays a crucial role in shaping policies, strategies, and programs related to Sustainable Governance. Its responsibilities include:

• Monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating the Resort's sustainability performance.

• Examining, analysing, and contributing to new sustainable governance actions.

• Reviewing sustainability goals and tracking the Resort's progress toward achieving them.

• Advising the Board of Directors on sustainable development-related risks, such as climate change and food security.

In 2022, a specialized sub-committee, titled "Sustainability Executive Committee" was established within the framework of the Sustainability Committee. This sub-committee focuses on the more direct and holistic management of Sustainable Development issues, ensuring alignment with the Group's sustainability strategy and maximizing the resulting benefits.

PERSONAL DATA PRIVACY POLICY

We respect our guests' privacy

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we prioritize the privacy and protection of our guests, employees, and partners. Our Personal Data Privacy Policy ensures that all information systems are safeguarded to the highest standards, maintaining confidentiality and proper functionality.
In compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we handle personal data responsibly and in line with European legislation. To support this, our employees undergo annual training, including specific onboarding sessions for new hires, ensuring everyone understands and upholds privacy standards.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Committed to caring

At TML Candia Maris Resort, the health and safety of our guests and employees are our top priority. We adhere to rigorous hygiene and safety standards, that comply with the provisions of Labor Law that ensure a healthy and safe working environment. In particular, the Resort applies the Greek legislation on operating licenses for hospitality facilities in relation to health and safety, as well as the national special health protocols based on the instructions of the official authorities regarding health & safety for each part of the resort. We follow strict hygiene and safety standards, earning HACCP certification to ensure top-level food safety and hygiene.

We also maintain a comprehensive prevention strategy that includes regular audits, strict safety standards, and ongoing employee training to avoid accidents and effectively manage emergencies.

To ensure readiness in emergencies, we conduct annual evacuation drills with different scenarios, testing our emergency teams' preparedness.

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we take decisive action on environmental challenges through comprehensive environmentally conscious initiatives. Our environmental stewardship encompasses advanced water conservation methods, innovative energy management solutions, and waste reduction systems. By implementing these eco-conscious practices across our operations, we demonstrate our dedication to protecting our natural resources and creating a regenerative future for our community.

WATER MANAGEMENT

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we prioritize the need to use water responsibly through meaningful actions designed to reduce consumption and enhance water quality across our operations.

Key Actions

• Authorized seawater utilization for resort operations. In 2023, 59% of the water pumped came from marine resources, highlighting the importance of managing water responsibly.
• Customized tap adjustments for optimized water flow control.
• Implementation of drip irrigation for efficient water delivery.
• Automated night-time irrigation to minimize water loss from evaporation.
• 'Wash on Demand' policy encouraging guests to reduce water usage for towels and bed linen.
• Manual and robotic pool cleaning methods to minimize water replacement.
• Staff training on effective water-saving practices.
• Installation of reverse osmosis and filtration systems.
• Regular monitoring and maintenance of water quality, certified with ISO 22000 standard.

CLIMATE STABILITY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES IN OUR SYSTEMS

Since 2023, TML Candia Maris Resort has made significant strides in its dedication to environmental responsibility by implementing sustainable energy solutions, including a photovoltaic power system and electric vehicle charging stations.

Key Actions

• Installation of new energy recovery systems from air conditioning and ventilation of internal common areas, aiming at heating or cooling water for use.
• Implementation of a modern Building Energy Management System (BEMS), which controls the most important operating parameters to optimize operations and have better control over energy consumption.
• Use of magnetic cards in all rooms, ensuring that all electrical appliances (except refrigerators) are turned off when guests leave their rooms.
• Replacement and installation of energy-efficient electrical equipment in all sectors, such as A+++ air conditioning systems, refrigerators, computers, photocopiers. 
• Transition from incandescent and economy light bulbs to energy-efficient LED lighting. The resort uses 99% LED lighting systems, resulting in lower power consumption.
• Regular maintenance and cleaning of all energy systems to ensure peak efficiency.
• Setting air conditioners (FCU) to a temperature that ensures maximum comfort and optimal energy consumption.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we use renewable energy sources (RES). Unlike conventional energy, RES has minimal environmental effects and offers long-term financial benefits. To this end, we have installed solar collectors for water heating, and a Photovoltaic power system for electricity production further enhancing our sustainability efforts. Furthermore, 100% of electricity purchased is from renewable energy sources | Guarantee of Origin (GO) certified.

DIRECT AND INDIRECT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

As part of our commitment to improving our environmental footprint, TML Candia Maris Resort tracks and records both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2023, we have expanded our climate initiatives to include the estimation of indirect Scope 3 emissions, which account for the greenhouse gases produced across our value chain

WASTE MANAGEMENT

ON THE ROAD TO NET ZERO WASTE

For the proper evaluation and implementation of waste management, TML Candia Maris Resort maintains a detailed recording of its hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Additionally, it tracks the percentages of its waste management methods (e.g. reuse, recovery and landfilling) to assess and monitor its performance.

ORGANIC WASTE

Supporting the net zero-waste-to-landfill production system, a significant initiative was implemented at TML Candia Maris Resort. Organic waste from its kitchens is transferred to Crete's Bioenergy facilities to be converted into biogas for power generation. In 2023, the resort handled a total of ~ 8 tons.

REDUCING THE USE OF AND RECYCLING PLASTIC

The following initiatives have been implemented to minimize plastic waste through comprehensive recycling and reduction initiatives:

• Collection and separation of plastics in guest rooms and across resort areas, using dedicated recycling bins
• Replacement of plastic straws and cups with sustainable products
• Transition from plastic to glass bottles in dining areas
• Transition from single-use plastic bathroom products to refillable containers

REDUCTION OF PAPER USE

To minimize paper consumption, we have implemented the following measures:

• Eliminating most printed materials in favour of electronic information.
• Using FSC-certified paper for all print materials, ensuring our products are sourced from sustainably managed forests and produced in compliance with environmental, social, and economic standards.

SUSTAINABLE HOTEL FARMING

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we align our operations with the principles of the European Green Deal and actively contribute to climate action and environmental preservation through the EU "Farm to Fork" strategy. Our commitment supports the development of a regenerative, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system. We aim to integrate regenerative food production with gastronomy by offering our guests wholesome, locally sourced options that embrace the slow food movement.

Our practices emphasize the optimal management of natural resources, including water, energy, and raw food materials, while promoting soil health and effective organic waste management.

We have adopted a comprehensive 360-degree approach based on four key pillars.

1. Energy and Soil Management: We strive to minimize our carbon footprint by not using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, thereby enhancing soil organic matter and promoting carbon sequestration.

2. Own Food Production: Utilizing organic regenerative practices, we cultivate organic herbs, nuts, fruits, and vegetables in the gardens of our resort. We prioritize native plant varieties that require less water, and we adhere to seasonal cultivation practices, aligning our production with nature's cycles. This approach ensures that the ingredients are sustainably sourced and integrated into our resort's restaurants and bars, fostering a connection between raw material production and sustainable gastronomy. The production quantity of our resort's gardens reached 651 kg of produce from 32 different plant categories.

3. Landscape Management: Our landscape management practices are certified under European regulation 2018/848 for organic farming with 27 acres of our resort's land certified following the principles of Organic Regenerative Agriculture. We utilize organic fertilizers exclusively, establish non-human intervention zones to allow natural ecosystems to thrive, reduce water consumption, and implement on-site composting to enrich our soil.

4. Training & Communication: Mindset Transformation comes through small actions. Our initiative promotes a new understanding of hotel farming and its role in food production and supply. We are dedicated to educating our employees, guests, partners, and suppliers about sustainable practices and the importance of our initiatives.

REGENERATING LASSITHI PLATEAU & ITS PEOPLE

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we pioneer sustainable innovation through our "Regenerating Lassithi Plateau and its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination" program. Launched in 2023, this program addresses global challenges through local action, focusing on organic regenerative agriculture to prioritize environmental sustainability, community development, and economic growth. We are dedicated to enacting positive environmental change by restoring soil vitality, which is essential for tackling the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

Our mission is to connect organic regenerative food production with culinary excellence, offering nutritious food options to community and our guests.

Our deep-rooted, decades-long family connection with the Lassithi Plateau makes it the ideal location for this program. In partnership with the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative and Local Food Experts, we train farmers in organic regenerative practices. The resulting produce is served at our Resort, creating a direct farm-to-table connection for our guests.

Embracing Organic Regenerative Agriculture

Organic Regenerative Agriculture involves a set of practices aimed at enhancing biodiversity, enriching soils, and improving watershed health. This approach seeks to sequester carbon in the soil, increase crop yields, promote resilience to climate variation, and enhance the health and vitality of farming communities.

Key principles of Organic Regenerative Agriculture include:

• Minimizing soil disturbance
• Implementing crop rotation to maximize field biodiversity
• Establishing ground cover for natural protection
• Keeping soil ecosystems active throughout the year
• Integrating livestock into crop production where feasible

Benefits of the program

Environmental

• Improves soil health and ecosystem services
• Promotes clean air and water
• Reduces environmental impact
• Supports climate change mitigation

Social

• Provides innovative agricultural training
• Engages younger generations in organic regenerative farming
• Strengthens long-standing community relationships
• Positions Lassithi Plateau and Crete as sustainable food destinations

Economic

• Creates stable income for local farmers
• Develops new business opportunities and transforms mindset in the region
• Reinforces existing supply partnerships
• Supports the local agricultural economy through direct resort's partnerships

Program in numbers:

• 8 farmers
• 12 categories of fresh vegetables and fruits cultivated following the principles of organic regenerative agriculture
• 20 acres, under the regulation EU 2018/848 on organic farming.
• 6 tons of products cultivated through organic regenerative practices supplied to our resort in the past 2 years

GROWING IN A FAIR AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT

TML Candia Maris Resort takes proactive actions to support employees, guests, the local community, and its supply chain. A significant milestone in this effort was the "Sustainable Supplies" program, launched in 2022. With Metaxa Hospitality Group leading the way, it became the first hotel group in Greece to implement such an initiative, reinforcing our commitment to responsible sourcing and the regeneration of hospitality.

Employees Our people are at the heart of all our actions. We actively invest in their growth through initiatives focused on equal participation, voluntary benefits, employment opportunities, training, and education on sustainability.

Equal Participation
TML Candia Maris Resort enforces a policy against discrimination and promotes equal opportunities, inclusion, and diversity at work. This ensures a work environment free from exclusion and fosters a culture that respects and capitalizes on diversity.

Additionally, TML Candia Maris Resort is committed to maintaining a healthy, violence-free, and harassment-free work environment. To support this commitment, we have developed a comprehensive anti-violence and anti-harassment policy. All employees undergo training during their initial orientation to understand and effectively implement these policies.

Voluntary Benefits
Our employees are the key players in delivering the authentic Greek hospitality. To ensure a healthy and stable work environment, we offer voluntary benefits that support the well-being of our staff. This reinforces our Group and therefore TML Candia Maris Resort as a preferred employer in the tourism industry, attracting both existing and future employees.

Contribution to Employment
We are dedicated to contributing to the local community by actively hiring employees from the areas in which we operate. We prioritize equitable hiring practices that provide opportunities for residents and help strengthen the regional workforce.

Training Programs
TML Candia Maris Resort invests in the professional development of its employees by offering formal training programs. These programs enhance technical skills and industry knowledge, and include seminars and conferences conducted in partnership with external experts.

Education on Sustainability Issues
Employees play a crucial role in achieving our sustainable development goals. To ensure they are well-informed and equipped to implement sustainability initiatives, TML Candia Maris Resort provides all new employees with sustainability training as part of their orientation. Additionally, our staff is promptly notified of relevant decisions and offered ongoing training to stay updated. This empowers our team to effectively contribute to our sustainability actions and drive positive change.

SUPPLY CHAIN

As part of our ongoing commitment to corporate social governance, our resort has been implementing a comprehensive Procurement Policy since 2019. This policy fosters a collaborative relationship with national and local producers and suppliers, driving the adoption of high-quality, locally sourced products and promoting the local economy. Our Procurement Policy is designed to minimize environmental impact, enhance supplier sustainability, and ensure compliance with global ESG standards.

SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIES | ACTION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In 2021, TML Candia Maris Resort, as part of Metaxa Hospitality Group, launched the pioneering "Sustainable Supplies - Action for a Sustainable Future" program in collaboration with Local Food Experts, a pioneering initiative in the Greek hospitality industry. This comprehensive program aims to educate and support our supplier partners in adopting sustainable business practices, specifically focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. The program is a novel initiative for the Greek hospitality industry, with the participation of 10 partners/suppliers, initially from the Food & Beverages sector.

Through this initiative, we train our supplier partners to understand organic regenerative production and sustainable procurement, gradually building a group of sustainable suppliers.

Our participants

• Kalimera Frouta
• Creta Vinetera
• Aroma of Crete
• Krivek
• Elianthos
• The Agricultural Cooperative of Lassithi Plateau
• Kassakis
• "Ta Meraklidika" from the Kalogerakis family
• Karanikolas Honey
• Andreas Metaxas Vineyard

Program Structure

The program is structured in five stages:

1. Self-Assessment: We provide participants with KPIs based on global ESG standards, evaluating their sustainable practices across various sectors.
2. Analysis of Results: Our team of experts processes the results, setting the priorities for education and training.
3. Education: We facilitate open discussions, study groups, and online or in-person meetings to educate participants on sustainable business principles.
4. Reassessment: We monitor the implementation and improvement of sustainable practices.
5. Award of Participation: Suppliers receive a certification upon successful completion of the program's stages.

By the end of the program, suppliers will have:

• Understood sustainable corporate governance principles
• Gained substantial knowledge of sustainable practices in the food sector
• Acquired tools and sustainable practices to implement in their operations

Program Implementation

The program is structured in three cycles, with the first cycle focusing on supplier self-assessment and result analysis, the second cycle educating participants on sustainable manufacturing and regenerative agriculture, and the third cycle reassessing sustainable practices and awarding certification.

In 2023, we commenced the inclusion of suppliers' land in EU Reg 2018/848 for Organic Agriculture, with the goal of having each producer/supplier develop an Organic Product Code incorporating Organic Regenerative Agriculture practices.

Key Focus Areas of the Program
The sustainability training revolves around 9 globally recognized ESG modules that guide suppliers in their green transition:

• Corporate governance
• Water management
• Energy management
• Waste and by-products management
• Infection prevention
• Ecosystem management
• Supplies and markets
• Human resources
• Neighbors and community

The Future of Sustainable Procurement

We will establish a process to evaluate our supply chain based on ESG criteria, focusing on environmental and social aspects, and plan to implement this process from 2026 onwards, starting with our primary food and beverage suppliers.

We believe that our commitment to sustainable procurement and the "Sustainable Supplies" program will contribute significantly to our environmental and social responsibility goals, fostering a more regenerative future for our guests, suppliers, and the local community.

The Program in Numbers

• 10 Supplier Partners
• 4 Key Pillars
• 9 Globally Recognized ESG Modules
• 188 Self-Assessment Questions
• 3 Educational Manuals
• 36 Educational Meetings
• 37 Training Courses and Field Visit

TUI FIELD TO FORK GREECE

TML Candia Maris Resort is proud to be part of the TUI Field to Fork Greece program, an initiative of the TUI CARE FOUNDATION, in collaboration with Futouris & SFDO.

The program's objectives are:

• Supporting Cretan farmers in transitioning to organic regenerative farming.
• Strengthening connections between farmers, Food Production Units (FPUs), hotels, and retailers.
• Offering guests the opportunity to experience regeneratively grown agricultural products through special tasting events.

The program focuses on promoting & supporting local farmers in adopting regenerative farming practices on Crete. This effort helps restore land, boost biodiversity, and raise awareness about sustainable food production across the tourism sector.

GUEST SATISFACTION

At TML Candia Maris Resort, guest satisfaction is our top priority. We value feedback and ensure that our guests' experiences are consistently monitored and improved. During their stay, guests are invited to complete a questionnaire, allowing us to address any concerns immediately. Upon check-out, we follow internal procedures to carefully review and consider their feedback for continuous improvement.

We also collect, monitor, and analyze reviews and comments from past guests through a dedicated platform to identify areas for enhancement. Our complaint management system ensures that all concerns are promptly addressed, with the entire management team involved in finding the best possible resolution.

SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION

At TML Candia Maris Resort, we are dedicated to supporting the local communities we serve, with a special emphasis on those in need. we actively participate in initiatives that foster social solidarity, cultural enrichment, education, and volunteerism. Our involvement includes coastal clean-up campaigns, blood donation drives, and efforts to promote the well-being of our community. Through these actions, we aim to strengthen local ties and create a meaningful, lasting impact.