Greek Hotel Wins Global Award for Turning Green and Becoming Energy Independent

Photo © Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa

The Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa located in Katerini, Pieria, was recently rewarded for its sustainable management by Blue Flag International, the world-renowned ecolabel run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Blue Flag International had invited winners of its ecolabel program to participate in its global competition for 2023 and share examples of best practices related to “Accessibility and Access for All” and “Energy savings and management”. Twenty-nine countries submitted 45 best practices, which were evaluated based on their reproducibility and impact by an international jury.

The Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa, part of the Mediterranean Hotels chain of Vasilios Lamprou Hotel Enterprises, won first place in the “Energy savings and management” category.

Source: Blue Flag International

According to Blue Flag International, the Greek hotel was awarded for turning green and becoming energy independent.

“The Mediterranean Village & Spa in Greece is transitioning into an energy-independent destination through various actions such as recycling, energy-saving systems, and use of renewable energy sources. It proudly maintains the Green Key certification and the Blue Flag on its beach,” Blue Flag International said.

Source: Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa

The Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa carries out multiple investments aiming to reduce its waste by at least 80 percent and become energy independent, limiting its energy footprint as much as possible.

Commenting on the hotel’s distinction, Mediterranean Hotels CEO Evangelia Xyptera highlighted that by winning the award, the company’s overall efforts for sustainable development and sustainability become better known to the world.

“Our goal is for our actions to become known and to inspire others to follow our example… We are here to help and share our know-how with anyone who requests it,” she said, adding that the company’s efforts are fueled by love for the destination of Katerini, tourism and the need to pass “a healthy system” on to the new generation.

Photo © Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa

Other winners in the Blue Flag global competition’s “Energy savings and management” category included the Blue Flag beach Albena in Bulgaria (second place) for emphasizing sustainability through solar energy, circular economy principles, and green transportation, producing 50 percent of its energy from renewables. The Antalya Municipality in Turkey came in third place for focusing on environmental education and organizing workshops for raising awareness.

It is reminded that the Blue Flag distinction is a global label of quality, which is awarded with strict criteria to organized beaches and marinas managed by municipalities, hoteliers and other establishments or to boats that meet the relevant criteria.