a map of a land with many small plants and small animals

Sustainability

TML Candia Maris commenced its operation in 1995 and at the heart of the hotel's proper operation is sustainable development, as it adopts best practices for the protection of the environment, the support of the local community, strengthening the local market, creating a prosperous working environment, the production of organic products and provision healthy meals, sustainable gardening as well as informing and raising public awareness on ecological issues.

To read more about our sustainability efforts, click here.

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS

1. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
TML Candia Maris Resort's sustainable development issues are discussed with the Management Team via the Group's Sustainability Committee, which assists in fulfilling the responsibility for the formulation of policies, strategies, and programmes that touch on the Group's Sustainable Governance.

2. HEALTH AND SAFETY

TML Candia Maris 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 hotel area.
Following all the Hygiene, Food & Safety standards, TML Candia Maris receives HACCP certification every year, which demonstrates the high priority that the resort places on food hygiene and safety.
To further ensure the safety of all employees and guests, the resort organises an annual evacuation drill under different evacuation drill scenarios each time, designed to test the preparedness and sound organisation of the resorts' emergency management teams.
To this end, the resort is constantly at the forefront of design and continuous updating of a comprehensive and coherent prevention strategy, which includes maintenance of safe facilities, compliance with strict standards, regular audits, and the employees' active participation through ongoing safety trainings for the prevention and avoidance of any accidents and the proper management of emergency situations that could jeopardise the health and wellbeing of the staff and guests. For all the quality & security certifications of the resort, click here.

3. DATA SECURITY POLICY
Respecting people's privacy and rights is paramount to TML Candia Maris. Information systems must be protected to the highest possible degree; therefore, we implement Data Security Policy and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and process personal data in accordance with European legislation.

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

1. CLIMATE STABILITY
TML Candia Maris implements practices:

energy saving
use of renewable energy sources
application of monitoring systems &
recording of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

2. REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION - RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
To reduce energy consumption, we have taken energy-saving actions such as:

Implementation and operation of a modern Building Energy Management System (BMS) which controls the most important operating parameters to optimise operations and have better control over energy consumption.
Setting air conditioners (FCU) to a temperature that ensures maximum comfort and optimal energy consumption.
Magnetic cards in all rooms, ensuring all electrical appliances (except fridges) are switched off when guests leave their rooms.
Installation of energy recovery systems from air conditioning and ventilation of internal common areas, aiming at heating or cooling water for use.
Installation of energy-efficient electrical equipment in all sectors, such as A+++ air conditioning systems, refrigerators, computers, photocopiers.
Gradual replacement of incandescent and economy light bulbs with LED light bulbs. The resort uses almost 90% LED lighting systems, resulting in lower power consumption.

The Resort also produces energy from a Photovoltaic system and thermal energy from solar panels for water heating.

3. REDUCING WATER CONSUMPTION & IMPROVING ITS QUALITY
We have implemented the following actions that aim to reduce water consumption and improve water quality for the resort's everyday needs. Such as:

Water flow reduction filters in each tap
Implementation of drip irrigation systems and automated watering of the resort's green areas at night to avoid water loss due to evaporation in the morning sun.
Implementation of the 'Wash on Demand' policy regarding the cleaning of the resort's towels and sheets, calling on guests to contribute to water consumption reduction, through special signs.
Manual or robotic cleaning of swimming pools to avoid frequent replacement of fresh water.
Training of personnel in water-saving techniques

Water after treatment by reverse osmosis and filtration units is used for all the uses required in our resort.

4. ON THE ROAD TO ZERO WASTE

Based on a zero-waste to landfill philosophy, significant initiatives are implemented at TML Candia Maris:
Education and reduction of food waste in all the kitchens and restaurants.
Organic waste from its kitchens is transferred to the Bioenergy Crete facilities and converted into biogas for power generation. In 2023, TML Candia Maris Resort handled a total of ~ 8 tons.
We reduce and recycle plastic, glass, paper, metal, etc while reducing paper consumption and using environmentally friendly paper (FSC) for all the resort's printouts.

5. BIODIVERSITY ECOSYSTEMS & SOIL

TML Candia Maris Resort receives annually the certification of the international standard "Costa Nostrum Sustainable Beaches", which is attributed to beaches that are managed in a sustainable manner. This fact practically proves the respect that the Resort shows to biodiversity, as well as to the flora and fauna that lives and grows in the marine and coastal zone of the hotel.
Sustainable Hotel Farming (1 st Sustainability Program). TML Candia Maris, as a member of Metaxa Hospitality Group took the initiative to plan and implement the "Sustainable Hotel Farming" programme, in collaboration with Local Food Experts, for the creation of a sustainable ecosystem incorporating 4 pillars:

Issues Related to Energy & Soil - We reduce our carbon footprint through greenhouse gas emissions reduction by zero using of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and thereby allowing the soil's organic matter to function and sequester carbon.
Our own Food Production - Using certified organic sustainable practices, we began cultivating in our resort's gardens: Organic herbs, fruits & vegetables producing our own food based on sustainable terms. Our gardens' crops are 100% directly linked to our resort's restaurants. Native plant varieties have been selected for cultivation, implying a reduced need of water. The products are grown on a seasonal basis, to avoid human intervention and refrain from burdening nature to produce something outside its natural cycle. In 2023, 651 kg were produced from our resort's gardens.
Sustainable Landscape Management - We are in compliance with European regulation EU 2018/848 for organic farming using only organic fertilizers. 27 acres of resort's land are certified for organic farming - We apply non-human intervention zones allowing nature to act on its own- We reduce water use - We do on-site composting.
Training & Communication - Mindset transformation comes through small actions. We contribute to the formation of a new perception of hotel farming and its connection with the production and supply of food. For this purpose, we inform and educate our employees, existing and potential guests, as well as our partners and suppliers.

Regenerative Agriculture (2nd Sustainability Program). In 2023 we have designed and planned, the implementation of the program "Regenerating Lassithi Plateau and its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination", which considers the current key global challenges of soil management and agricultural production through regenerative agriculture that benefits the environment, society, and local economy in many ways.

Environmental Benefits - We take action to reduce our environmental footprint, prevent exacerbating climate change, and contribute to a resilient, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system, starting with soil health thus we allow cultivated land to regenerate so as to perform the essential ecosystem services that provide us with clean air and water, healthy plants and animals, balance and quality.

Social Benefits - We educate producers and inspire younger ones in new, innovative, yet effective regenerative practices, carrying out actions for their inclusion in the European regulation 2018|848 concerning organic farming.

Economic Benefits - We invest in changing the mindset and business culture of the region thus we directly support the local community financially by absorbing the products in our hotels, thus ensuring the producers & income.

Regenerative farming practices introduced in 2023, covering 14 acres of organic
farming in the Lassithi Plateau Region of Crete, producing in total 11 tons of
organic fresh fruits & vegetables used also in the resort.

FOR THE SOCIETY

1. SUPPORTING THE LOCAL MARKET

The procurement policy of the Resort was designed, financed, and implemented based on its relationship with national and local producers and suppliers. Our preference for local products is a commitment on the part of the Resort, as this not only ensures contact between our guests and the products and traditions of our land, but also contributes to the financial support of local communities, without burdening the atmosphere with harmful gas emissions from international transport.
67% of the resort's suppliers are strategically located in Crete and Greece
Sustainable Supplies (3rd Sustainability Program) - TML Candia Maris, as a member of Metaxa Hospitality Group, took the initiative to develop and implement the "Sustainable Supplies - Initiative for a sustainable future" program in collaboration with Local Food Experts. The programme is a novel initiative for the Greek Hospitality industry, with the participation of 10 partners/ suppliers, initially from the Food & Beverages sector linking organically - and through local communities - sustainability with social responsibility. Through this initiative we train our supplier partners into a sustainable procurement team, educate them in understanding the sustainable way of production & procurement based on international ESG (Environmental - Social - Governance based on 4 pillars: Environment, Society, Governance, Supply Chain).

2. LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT
TML Candia Maris supports the local society by hiring locally, with 100 % of employees coming from Greece & Crete.
Investing in its employees through formal training programmes aimed at increasing or strengthening their technical skills and knowledge. Moreover, as our employees are a key factor in achieving the sustainable development goals TML Candia Maris ensures their proper, adequate, and prompt notification regarding decisions that are taken and their immediate training for proper implementation of the agreed actions.
Enforces a policy that combats discrimination while promoting equal opportunities, inclusion, and diversity at work, in order to ensure a work environment without exclusion, thus cultivating a culture that respects and capitalises on diversity.
In addition, the resort is dedicated to maintaining a healthy violence- and harassment-free work environment for all employees, by developing an anti-violence and anti-harassment policy that directly and effectively deals with such incidents. In this context, training programmes are carried out for all employees during their initial training.
TML Candia Maris stands by the local communities by supporting those who need us most. It takes on initiatives and supports actions that promote social solidarity, culture, sports, volunteering, and education. Also actively participates in volunteer initiatives, such as: coastal cleaning actions in cooperation with environmental organizations.