We are committed to protecting our communities and have a critical responsibility to contribute to their development. We commit to using locally sourced products and encourage the creation of new, sustainable local businesses that can be invited into our supply chain.
At Phāea we are dedicated to driving positive impact across our value chain. Through our commitment to sustainable sourcing, we create positive social and environmental change across our operations, supply chain and eventually our sector. We work together with our suppliers to help them meet environmental and social criteria, safeguard the environment while ensuring ethical sourcing. We proudly and consistently promote this philosophy throughout our organization and for all our relationships.
Tourism provides a crucial contribution to local development and can be an instrument for regional development. Our supply chain relationships extend from small local family businesses to large-scale international service providers. Our priority is to give preference to locally sourced products. Towards that direction, we strive to contribute to developing new, sustainable local businesses that can be included in our supply chain. Currently, 25.5% of our F&B suppliers originates from Crete.
To promote sustainable consumption, we aim to minimize the intake of natural resources and the use of toxic materials and establish standards that enable achieving present and future economic prosperity, environmental integrity and social equity across our value chain. In our effort to reduce the greenhouse emissions that arise from transportation and long-term storage, we use local seasonal ingredients in all our restaurants, some of which are locally produced by our employees through the Phāea Farmers program. We are also proud to declare our commitment to sourcing exclusively cage-free shell eggs and egg products for all our culinary offerings, commencing in 2024 and onward.
Ever since the legendary King Minos established the Minoan civilization in 2200BC, handicrafts such as ceramics and embroidery have been an important part of Cretan culture. By drawing architectural inspiration from Sbokou family heirlooms and featuring contemporary work by street artists such as Thanassis and Dimitris Kretsis, celebrate our island’s cultural legacy while helping curate its future. From a striking Reywal lighting installation by Joy Stathopoulou to the tables at Almyra Restaurant at Cretan Malia Park, lovingly handcrafted by third-generation furniture-maker, all of our hotels are an ode to Greek design.
At Phāea, part of our strategy is to prioritise local suppliers. and we aim to source most of our purchases locally or nationally. Our hotels’ design and architecture is a product of the careful study of the island’s history, nature and resources. Inspired by the surroundings, we used sustainable materials with a preference for locally sourced ones. In our effort to reduce the greenhouse emissions that arise from transportation and long-term storage, we use local seasonal ingredients in all our restaurants, some of which are locally produced by our employees through the Phāea Farmers program.
Caring for our community can be manifested in a variety of ways. From consciously supporting small firms and local brands, to donations to people in need, charities or foundations that support the vulnerable and participation in social causes, at Phāea we remain true to our overall purpose of contributing to the development and well-being of our communities where we operate.
Throughout the year, we organize numerous events aimed at showcasing our local culture to guests, fostering stronger connections with local communities, actively supporting regional initiatives, and enhancing appreciation for Cretan flora, natural environments, and heritage. At Cretan Malia Park, we hosted the annual Design Hotels Members Conference (Arena) and organized approximately 100 events. These included multiple visits to the Phāea Farmers farm, wine and olive oil tastings, Bostani Pop-up events, Cretan Soul Events, beekeeping presentations, beach clean-ups, International Day of Tourism celebrations, and various sustainable activities at the kids club.
We prioritize hiring local talent and actively integrate local cultures into our resorts. We take pride in achieving a workforce where over 84% are local individuals employed within our Group.
Our approach encompasses both in-kind and monetary donations to support local, native and international social care causes, including local hospitals, schools, nursing homes, foundations and charities. Our in-kind donations, such as hardware, linen, and food, aid the efforts of local hospitals and nursing homes. We target our food and monetary donations toward children’s charity organizations and local animal welfare organizations.
At Phāea, we actively promote volunteerism and encourage all employees to participate. Examples of our initiatives include planting trees and growing potatoes to donate to families in need. We also host annual environmental awareness events at our resorts for local elementary schools and participate in marathons and local sporting events such as Run Greece. Our activities further encompass cleaning coastal and underwater areas of the Greek shores and afforestation of local mountainous regions.
