We do local Certified Hotel Members for the second consecutive year!
The Giannoulis Hotels & Resorts, successfully passed for the second consecutive year all assessment procedures based on the inclusion criteria and certification of "We do local".
We do local Sponsor of Halkidiki Hotel Association's
General Meeting
The We do local tourism business certificate was Sponsor of Halkidiki Hotel Association's General Meeting, which was held on Sunday 24th January at the Nicopolis Hotel in Thessaloniki.
The Hoteliers of Halkidiki had the opportunity to learn about the certification standard We do local, the processes and the benefits of getting certified with it from Cosmocert SA-certification services. Also, they had the opportunity to receive all the needed files at the info desk outside the venue of the meeting.
Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations have signed an agreement with the Greek We do local certificate, committing to closer partnership. The two certification schemes recognize the achievements of tourism businesses committed to working in a sustainable way by supporting local suppliers, communities and culture. Collaboration between different tourism organisations with a common purpose, such as helping Greek hotels operating more sustainably, becomes increasingly important to business success.
The collaboration between We do local and Travelife aims to increase the number of hotels using sustainable management systems. This not only improves the efficiency of their business, but increases the opportunities to promote these hotels to visitors.
“It is a ‘win-win’ situation for all involved,” said Mr Sören Stöber, Travelife’s Commercial Director. “Tourists benefit from a more unique and interesting holiday. Hotels benefit from positive business relationships. And local communities and businesses benefit from increased income and improvements to the area.”
Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations is one of the world’s leading sustainability certification schemes for tourism companies. It has 1,400 hotel members worldwide and works in partnership with leading tour operators, such as TUI, Thomas Cook, DER Touristik, Monarch and Sunvil, to improve sustainability in the industry.
Hotels that achieve Travelife GOLD certification prove in an on-site audit that they treat staff and local people fairly, protect people’s rights and the environment, and support local businesses. This improves efficiency of the hotel operations, the quality of the customer experience, and contributes to the economic development and environmental and cultural protection of destinations.
“We do local is based on the philosophy of going ‘back to our roots’ and building a better quality of life,” explained Mr Lefteris Karatarakis, Vice President of Local Production & Hospitality SA, We do local. “We help businesses increase their competitive advantage by differentiating themselves, in both substance and quality.”
He continued: “By protecting the local environment, sharing local customs and introducing local cuisine to guests, We do local businesses offer them the chance to enjoy a unique and authentic experience, full of real flavour, rich in images, emotions and memories of the holiday destination.”
Local people also benefit, as We do local businesses support the local community, producers, workforce and economy.
Mr Stöber added: “What unites Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations and We do local is our commitment to help protect local places, people and produce. When a tourist sees one of our logos they know that this business knows how important it is to respect its environment, its cuisine, its customs and traditions to ensure its prosperity – now and in the future.”
Left: Mr Lefteris Karatarakis, Vise President of Local Production & Hospitality SA - “We do local”
Right: Mr Sören Stöber, Travelife Commercial Director
Travelife
Travelife is an international certification system, promoting sustainability within the tourism industry. It helps tour operators, hotels and accommodations to manage and monitor their social and environmental impacts, as well as communicate their achievements to customers. It is an easy to use, step-by-step programme which provides members with a practical approach to improve their business.
We do local is a certification standard which was created by the mature cooperation of Local Production and Hospitality SA, Cosmocert SA and Local Food Experts sce.
The businesses (Hotels & Ships) certified by We do local Standard:
- support the production, economy and human resources of the place they are situated in
- promote their uniqueness and the responsibility of hospitality
- offer services which promote the local culture and gastronomy
- respect the environment and the sustainability of their homeland
Become a Member Businesses wishing to be certified by We do local must meet some specific criteria that focus indicatively on:
Licenses - Certifications - Awards Social - Labor
Architecture - Infrastructure - Surroundings
Social events - Local Culture
Environment - Sustainability
Food & Beverage Areas
The Integration Process in We do local includes:
- Acceptance of the Specifications criteria of We do local, depending on the activity of the enterprise, check and reply them.
- Acceptance of the Price List
- Submission of Application - Cooperation Agreement
- Acceptance of the Special Rules and the Guideline of Integration Process
- Site Inspection
- Evaluation, certification and integration in We do local
