Ikos Resorts is delighted to reveal its Ikos Green programme detailing the brand’s commitment to sustainability and the local community in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As it starts to welcome guests back to its luxury all-inclusive resorts this 2020 season, the commitment to sustainability remains a key focus.

Ikos Green is built around four pillars: the commitment to greener operations; developing eco-learning programmes for children and teenagers at the Mini and Teen clubs; the commitment to local products, including partnerships with local restaurants; and the commitment to the environment and communities beyond the hotel grounds.

The group has long been committed to Corporate Social Responsibility and in 2019 its actions impacted over 40 charities and organisations in the environmental, health, cultural and sports fields. Donations of state-of-the-art hospital equipment in 2019 have helped over 6,359 local children to date, a donated off-road vehicle aids the Coast Guard in Syrian refugee search and rescue operations, and the renovation of a professional kitchen helps to support Syrian refugee children. 78% of Ikos Resorts workforce are Greek, single use plastic items have been banned and since 2015 1.226 tons of materials have been recycled from the resorts.

In 2020 Ikos Resorts aims to do more than ever before, including reducing water and energy consumption by a further 5%, reducing the use of plastic even further, increasing recycling rates, extending the zero-waste programme and aligning its sustainability programmes with all the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Supporting Local Producers and Restaurants

Ikos Resorts strives to use locally sourced products where possible and aims to increase this in 2020. Over 56% of products currently used at the resorts are sourced locally or domestically from individual farmers, small businesses and cooperatives in Greece. The Ikos olive oil, honey and wine product range guests can enjoy at the resorts are all a sample of this.

A partner of the Thought for Food initiative by The Bodossaki Foundation, Ikos Resorts also financially supports four local producers in Halkidiki, equipping them to grow and reach larger markets with a focus on bee keeping, olive products, tsipouro and cheese production.

The group also supports restaurants near each resort through the Dine Out programme. Dine Out allows guests to enjoy restaurants outside of the resorts as part of their all-inclusive stay, helping boost the local economy.

Eco-Learning Programmes at the Kids Clubs

Guests staying at the resorts can partake in a variety of environmental experiences. Eco-adventures in the local area are available for guests of all ages, including bird watching and hiking. Two dedicated eco-learning programmes at its Mini Clubs, for children aged 4 – 11, and Teen Clubs, for 12+, will see children explore the biodiversity of each resort and learn about local customs by becoming marine scientists or explorers for the day in a fun, outdoor educational experience.

Greener Operations

Ikos Resorts invests in a wide range of sustainability initiatives to achieve greener operations and plans to increase this further in 2020. Last year alone the group recycled more than 400 tonnes of materials and implemented a zero-waste initiative at Ikos Dassia in Corfu, converting over 246 tonnes of organic waste through a wastewater treatment facility.

Sustainable practices in place include the elimination of UN banned single-use plastic, a three stage wastewater treatment plant for recycling water, training all staff in energy and carbon management, and using systems such as KNX and BMS and 99% LED lighting to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy usage.

Sustainability Awards

All four Ikos hotels in Greece – Ikos Aria, Ikos Dassia, Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania - were awarded certifications in 2019 for their commitment to sustainable practices including a Travelife Gold Certification at Ikos Oceania and Ikos Olivia, and Green Key Certifications, ISO 14001 and ISO 220000 across all four resorts.

Ikos Olivia opens for the 2020 season on 1st July. The new Ikos Andalusia in Spain will open its doors for the first time on 1st September 2020. Opening dates for Ikos Oceania, Ikos Dassia and Ikos Aria will be announced in the coming weeks.