Sustainable hotels eco-certification and the new tourism law

Sustainable hotels, eco-certification and the new tourism law in Greece Dr. Anastasios ANTONAKOS, General Manager, Nano. Domi Dipl. Eng. Konstantinos LOUKIDIS, Project Manager, ENTEKA S. A. Dipl. Eng. Konstantinos GKARAKIS, TEI Athens/Energy Technology Engineering Dept. 8 th International Scientific Conference Energy and Climate Change

Outline • • • Climate change and Tourism Greek Tourism industry The New Greek legislations Eco-certification & benefits Proposals - Conclusions

EU policies & Building sector European Union Environmental Responsibility & Targets • 1990 – 2020 - 2050 80 -95% reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) Building sector responsible • • 40% of total energy consumption 36% of CO 2 emissions Hotel buildings Special characteristics of operation Largest ecological impact

Global Tourism industry

Global Tourism industry Important but need to control environmental impact

Towards to Sustainable Greek tourism industry • • • EU general GHG policies Market Self regulation with eco-certification & labels EU Communication from the Commission (19 October 2007) was the official launching and endorsement of an Agenda for sustainable and competitive tourism 2015 • Greek Government Gazette (FEK) ΦΕΚ B 2840 - 22. 10. 2014, p. 34499 – 34506. • Greek Government Gazette (FEK) B 10 - 09. 01. 2015, p. 31 - 50.

Greek tourism – “Heavy Industry” Direct Contribution to GDP 9, 3% (~17 billion €) Direct & indirect Contribution to GDP 20 -25% Contribution to Employment Industry Growth 2014 International Tourism Receipts 30% of private sector 11% ~13, 2 billion € 2014 International Tourism arrivals 22 million (23% increase) European Market Share (Ranking) 3, 3% (9 th) World Market Share (Ranking) 1, 4% (19 th) 3 island Regions (Crete, South Aegean, 50% Ionian) GDP contribution Each 1 € of Tourism income 2. 2 -2. 65 € of GDP Travel receipts from abroad covered 76% of the trade deficit. These receipts are nearly equal to receipts from the exports of all other products exported by the country, excluding receipts from the export of ships and oil. (SOURCE SETE)

Main weakness Seasonality

The New Greek legislations categorizing the Greek hotels and furnished apartments for rent on different stars/keys categories Greek Government Gazette (FEK) B 10 - 09. 01. 2015, p. 31 -50 Hotels Greek Government Gazette (FEK) B 2840 - 22. 10. 2014, p. 34499 – 34506 Apartments for rent

FEK B 10 - 09. 01. 2015, p. 31 -50 (HOTELS) The mandatory technical and operational specifications along with optional criteria which are awarded by a point system are introduced defining the procedure of categorizing the Greek hotels on different stars categories. Star Category 5 ***** 4 **** 3 *** 2 ** 1 * Minimum required points 5500 4000 3200 2200 1500

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) MANDATORY CRITERIA Building Criteria: • Criteria 1. 8/1. 9: Heating or Cooling in all spaces of the whole year/seasonal working hotels for the whole year (Bioclimatic buildings are excluded) • These criteria fight again seasonality of the hotels and therefore contribute to a quality, diversified tourism offering. Additionally, indirectly reinforce the bioclimatic hotels.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) MANDATORY CRITERIA Building Criteria: • Criterion 1. 10: Heating insulation windows with double glazing (According to KEKAK) • This criterion has direct impact to the energy efficiency of the hotel building and the seasonality as well. In Greek tourism industry, mainly due to its seasonality many windows are with singles glasses. The mandatory replacement-upgrade to double glass will result to even 200% better insulation performance, which in turn means less energy consumption for heating/cooling and expansion of the tourist season.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) MANDATORY CRITERIA Building Criteria: • • Criterion 1. 11: Natural lightening and ventilation at all rooms. Within this technical criterion significant energy savings are achieved and the sustainability of the hotel buildings is fortified.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) MANDATORY CRITERIA Common specifications for rooms and apartments Criteria: • • Criterion 4. 5/4. 6: Television at least 24’’/29’’ of latest technology Many hotels, even today, are equipped with old technology televisions which in turn mean more consumption. Latest technology televisions are usually of LED technology and surely more energy efficient than the old ones.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) MANDATORY CRITERIA Other Criteria: • Criterion 13. 3: Promotion of the environmental information and education of the staff – distribution of brochures • Education, Public awareness, Dispersion of environmental and social responsibility, respect on local environment and culture among the promoted actions and values which are important for a more sustainable tourism model.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Building Criteria: • • • Criterion 1. 5: Electric Car Station Points: 100 Although this criterion has not direct environmental impact, it has indirect since socializes the electric cars, which are the “green” solution of mobility for a sustainable future without fossil fuels.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Common Areas Criteria: • • • Points: 100 Criterion 2. 19: Natural lightening of the multiple purpose room As in Criterion 1. 11, energy saving and sustainability are promoted.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Common specifications for rooms and apartments Criteria: • • • Criterion 4. 6: Television at least 29’’ of latest technology Points: 100 This mandatory criterion for >3*** hotels gives extra points on the 1 and 2 ** hotels.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Common specifications for rooms and apartments Criteria: • Criterion 4. 24: Automatic setting of temperature at the rooms (in the case of central heating). • • Points: 100 Many of the costumers use to overheat or overcool their room, which leads to an increased consumption of energy. By adopting this criterion energy saving is achieved

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Special Certifications Criteria: • eco-certification is introduced for first time by a national regulation as an optional but highly rewarded criterion • The significant in this category is that every available standard – certification is multiplied by the relative point subcategory. So, if a hotel has more than one certification gets multiple points.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Special Certifications Criteria: • • Criterion 10. 1: Development of environmental services – standards. 10. 1. a: ECOLABEL, EMAS, ISO 14001. Points: 200 Adopting environmental policies isintroduced for first time by a national regulation as an optional but highly rewarded criterion (200 points).

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Special Certifications Criteria: • 10. 1. b: GREEN GLOBE, GREEN KEY, TRAVEL LIFE or other special public or private certificates • • Points: 150 More points are rewarded to the hotels, if they be certified on more eco-labels. Any of them, due to their requirements will also improve the energy footprint of the hotels.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Special Certifications Criteria: • Criterion 10. 4: Certification of the social corporate responsibility by ISO 26000 or relevant standard. • • Points: 100 Part of the social corporate responsibility is the Sustainability of the product and the environmental impact minimization.

HOTELS (FEK B 10, 2015) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Special Certifications Criteria: • Criterion 10. 5/10. 6: Accession in the “Greek breakfast” program/special quality signal of Greek cuisine or certification of regional cuisine • • Points: 150 This criterion focuses on giving back to local society.

FEK B 2840 - 22. 10. 2014, p. 34499 – 34506 (Apartments for rent) Similarly to the hotels, this Government Gazette defines the procedure of categorizing the furnished apartments for rent on different keys categories Key Category 3 keys 4 keys Minimum required points 3500 5500

Apartments for rent (FEK B 2840, 2014) MANDATORY CRITERIA Building Criteria: • • Criterion 19: Heating / Cooling or/and air condition or/and roof fans. Again the season is expanded by adding heating and the apartments can operate 365 days per year. Additionally, roof fans assist on the energy saving, while according to the new EU standards air conditioners and other heating/cooling devices, such as heat pumps, should have ERP labels, be energy efficient and use ecofriendly coolants [ ].

Apartments for rent (FEK B 2840, 2014) MANDATORY CRITERIA Other Criteria: • Criterion 81: Information for visitors concerning policies relevant to environment protection, which they can utilize during their staying. • This mandatory criterion shows the government policy for the transition from the “sun and sea” model to a more qualitative and Sustainable tourism product.

Apartments for rent (FEK B 2840, 2014) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Building Criteria: • Criterion 18: Heating insulation windows with double glazing (According to KEKAK []) • • Points: 100 As mentioned for the hotels this criterion has direct impact to the energy efficiency of the hotel building and the seasonality. It is a chance for furnished apartments to upgrade their windows and achieve better service, energy savings and longer seasons.

Apartments for rent (FEK B 2840, 2014) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Specifications for room equipment: • • • Criterion 31: Flat Television at least 22’’ Points: 100 Many of the apartments for rent even today use old type televisions, which are more energy consuming than the new ones (up to 200%). Following this criterion, the replacement with new technology TVs gives 100 points, but also assists in the energy saving of the apartments for rent.

Apartments for rent (FEK B 2840, 2014) OPTIONAL CRITERIA (point awarded) Other Criteria: • • • Criterion 82: Use of ecofriendly cleaning products Points: 50 National and international policies become more sensitive on environmental issues.

RESTRAINS UNTIL TODAY Transition to a more eco-friendly tourist product has not been achieved mainly due to the following reasons: • • The hurdle of the new Economic cost of renovation or energy upgrade Not efficient communication or bad marketing General Government policy missing or not communicated effectively

The opportunity from FEK B 10 -2015 and FEK 2840 -2014 • • direct impact on the energy footprint of hotels/apartments for rent. strategic plan towards a Sustainable Tourism. opportunity to fight against these restrains. minimum rules and all hotel/apartments for rent owners should comply with the new standards. • New Sustainable tourism scheme, where gradually the hotels that do not progress in terms of competiveness, quality of services and social responsibility will be not selected by the visitors. • the introduction of eco-certifications due to their requirements generates more opportunities and advantages for the Greek tourism industry

ECO-CERTIFICATES Trip. Advisor 35, 000 travellers & accommodation owners from around the world to compile the Trip. Barometer Green Leaders

ECO-CERTIFICATES

ECO-CERTIFICATES Common characteristics: • • Voluntary membership published environmental commitment compliance with local regulations environmental management system for energy, water, pollution, etc. scoring, reporting, periodic auditing for renewal facilities to provide technical assist to organizations to achieve goals Transparency and publicity recognition and awarding the use of a logo which is recognized by consumers, differentiating the sustainability • Numerous benefits for the certified hotels in terms of marketing, sustainability and money saving

ECO-CERTIFICATES IN GREECE • • <300 hotels certified by at least one eco-certificate in Greece. <1% of the existing hotels in Greek territory, while globally the ecocertified hotels are more than 14% (2013). Main reasons: Ø Ø economic crisis and the Greek islands which “sell” easily their unique “sun and sea” product. ü Eco-certified number is increased more than 20% during the last year and it seems that there is a clear increasing trend.

ECO-CERTIFICATES IN GREECE Green Globe Green Key Travel life Ecolabel Green leaders Ne. ZEH other

BENEFITS OF ECO-CERTIFICATION • Certification is only one of the tools for motivating hotel businesses and visitors to improve their environmental, social, and/or economic performance. • The certification procedure benefits the business itself, the costumers and the society.

Hotel industry Visitors/ Society/ government clients BENEFITS OF ECO-CERTIFICATION Self-improvement Better services Benefits for the environment and local communities Education public awareness protect tourism destinations Process development Better services Reduction of operational Better quality of service Lowers the regulatory costs of costs (water, electricity, environmental protection. and fossil fuels) Access to new, more Better quality of service Protect the environment efficient technology Access to low cost upgrading of services Likely to continue offering financing and buildings benefits for the long term Marketing – reputation & Envir. & socially popularity responsible choices Social responsibility – Alerts to the relative actions environmental and social issues Local economic benefits Give back to society, reduce poverty Raises industry standards in health, safety, environment, and social stability Respect local culture and provide real economic and social benefits

GOOD NEWS • • The Greek hotel industry rises Energy efficiency & sustainable actions financed by EU co-funding programs. • ü Mainly National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF). “Green tourism” and more than 100 project financed with more than 17 million €. ü • SME funding for Tourism Greek banks have commercialized special products of “green renovation”. • The two new legislations & Deadline 31. 12. 2017

FURTHER NEEDED • • • Political and economic stability Long term planning Achieving an appropriate pace of development Access to low cost financing by banks Ensure that tourism respects the society, the environment and the local destination specificities and set the relative limits • Compliance of the laws and standards both by hotel owners and by the government • • Use of new technology which incorporates the best available knowledge continuous best effort education and public awareness A European or national eco-certification or standard might be a worthwhile addition to the green certification mix.

CONCLUSIONS Most of Greek and EU tourism strategic plans try to anticipate the above aspects and reinforce the tourism product in terms of competitiveness, sustainability and simplify procedures. The introduction of the new tourism laws is one more step at this direction and sets a new status with new possibilities and opportunities and contributes to the transition from the old model of “Sun and Sea” with voluntary environmental engagements, to a diversified, multi-disciplinary and Sustainable tourism.

Thank you for your attention Contact details of corresponding author Tel: + 210 -3629581 Fax: + 210 -3630647 e-mail: a. antonakos@nanodomi. com Address: Asklipiou 109, 11472, Athens, Greece