Page 33 - BLUE INK 2019

art & SOUL

Clockwise from top: The Blue Flag at
Minos Beach art hotel – awarded by the FEE
only to those beaches meeting its stringent
standards of quality. Staff take part in
evacuation drill at Minos Palace hotel & suites.
Blood donation drive, part of bluegr's CSR.

bLUeGr iS Green young children attending the Mini Club take part in the
activities, having fun in the sun while learning about the
A deep commitment to nature and society. environment. The bluegr CSR initiatives also extend to
growing indigenous plants that are resistant to summer
droughts, using biodegradable products, non-toxic
at BlUEgR hotEls & REsoRts, protecting the detergents, eco-friendly compost, and much more.
environment is a top priority and a deep commitment In fact, the environment is one of the three main pillars
– a goal shared by management and staff, and an ideal of contribution of the G. & A. Mamidakis Foundation and
communicated to all guests and partners. Going beyond its online initiative, LoveGreece.com. Organizing events
merely complying with legislative regulations, the and activities with the aim of promoting respect for the
properties operate according to a comprehensive ISO- environment and awareness of the threats nature faces, the
14001 certified environmental management system Foundation sees this green philosophy as an integral part of
(EMS) and an in-depth Environmental Policy, which is its mission to highlight Greece’s cultural, entrepreneurial
continuously monitored and frequently updated. Saving and natural wealth, with an emphasis on the region of Crete
energy, reducing water consumption and efficiently and the town of Agios Nikolaos. As CEO of bluegr hotels in
managing waste are just a few of the green practices addition to Foundation President, Gina Mamidakis is deeply
followed across the hotels and resorts. Among the devoted to Greek nature, leading the way for green projects
clearly defined targets of the Policy are reducing water that have been successfully organized in past years – as
consumption by 4% and power consumption by 3% every well as new ones planned for the future.
year, limiting the use of plastics and installing LED lights.
This green Corporate Social Responsibility culture
permeates every bluegr hotel and resort – and it goes
beyond eco-friendly practices, with bluegr determined
to increase environmental awareness among partners,
guests and local residents, as well as to help Cretan society
and nature. Information that raises eco-awareness is
distributed across the properties, and ecological activities
are held at every hotel. These include volunteer cleaning
of local beaches, roads and other areas by bluegr staff – as
well as that of the seabed in collaboration with professional
divers. As part of the Blue Flag Mediterranean Week, even

30 Blue Ink