Thessaloniki’s Grand Hotel Palace Introduces ‘Green Events’ Concept

The five-star Grand Hotel Palace in Thessaloniki  has introduced a new concept for the events it will be hosting, where special consideration will be given to sustainability pillars.

The hotel from now on will be hosting “green events”, meaning that they will be planned, organized and carried out in a way that will minimize any potential negative impact on the environment.

The new service encourages the holding of events that will have as little environmental footprint as possible and leave a beneficial legacy for the community and all involved.

The Grand Hotel Palace is fully qualified to hold green events as it:

– is a “green hotel”, having received environmental certifications, which include annual Greek Key status (since 2016); received three Greek Hospitality Awards in 2021 (gold award for Best Greek Green City Hotel, gold award for Best Greek Technology Hotel and a silver award for Best Greek City MICE Hotel); participated in the Zero Waste Future Loading program; and being the first hotel to participate in the Cigarette Cycle program (cigarette recycling)

– offers “green” food choices with specially designed “green menus” based on local, organic and seasonal products, while strengthening the economy of smaller local businesses

– always recycles material after hosting events (paper, glass, plastic, batteries) and sees to make use of leftover food.

– provides notebooks made from recyclable material and eco-friendly pens.

– supports “green technology” that contributes to the significant reduction of paper and energy use through facilities such as online check in, a 360° virtual tour through the hotel’s website, electronic application of floor plan and layout of participants, individual A/C with activated carbon filters and digital thermostats in the rooms, electronic lighting management (KNX) system in the conference rooms, use of energy-saving lightbulbs, electronic indicator for cleaning the rooms, restaurant menus via QR code, info screen with useful information at the reception area, etc.

– encourages “green” movement and urges the use of the hotel’s shuttle bus and alternative modes of transport.

“The Grand Hotel Palace’s involvement and development of an environmental policy, comes from the philosophy followed by the administration where the focus and primary position is to show respect to the environment, people and the local community. It is essentially a key pillar of the overall corporate social responsibility and awareness,” said the hotel’s director of Development and Communication, Natasa Papanagiotou.