Tourism Enterprises Can Cut Costs with Renewable Energy

The use of solar energy, water resources with the implementation of new technology, as well as the design of buildings that host tourism facilities that take advantage of renewable sources of energy lead to a reduction in operating costs, improvement of the commercial image of the tourism business, contribute to the protection of the environment and are an example for the local communities.

These were the key findings emerging from the Association for Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE) forum titled, “Cutting-edge Technology at the service of tourism: From theory to practice.”

The forum’s goal was to make use of the knowledge and experiences of academics and businessmen with regard to the advanced and environmentally friendly technology for an ideal future for tourism, with ideas and proposals for direct implementation by the tourism community.

During the first session, members of the academic community from National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos,” the Center for Renewable Energy and the National Metsovio Polytechnic, provided theoretical information on the use of renewable sources of energy in tourism enterprises. They analyzed the importance and the usefulness for spreading the new technologies presenting the relationship of cost versus benefit that results from their use.

The second session focused on practical examples of applications of the new technology in Greek hotels where there is extended use of solar energy and the correct use of water resources, with very visible results.