Rhodes' Akramitis mountain day walk, Greece
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are committed and passionate about Responsible Tourism. The walking industry in general is obviously an environmentally friendly activity. Our policy is set out in three parts Environmental, Economic and Social and this is a live working document, and is open to everyone and for the benefit of Rhodes, Greece.
Statement of intent.
1. We will inform employees and clients of our Environmental, Social and Economical standards, guidance and information within our Responsible Tourism Document.
2. We practice and encourage the use of local produce and services.
3. We develop long term working relationships with local suppliers and help new businesses.
4. We make positive contributions to the environment by studying our walking routes and refrain from using some sections of the routes during parts of year in order to protect sensitive areas.
5. Introduce our customers to Greek community life, through direct participation, observing and arranging cultural talks.
6. Encourage our customers to speak Greek, if only a few phrases.
7. Promoting out of season winter holidays to extend the holiday season.
8. Ensure no litter or damage occurs on our walking routes. We support environmental projects in the pursuance of sustaining (responsible) tourism for the future generations to experience and enjoy.
Environmental.
Transport either in the form of cars, mini buses or coaches are used to transport our clients to the route sites but we have tried to minimise the time spent on buses etc in order that more time is spent on foot. We have been able to do this by careful planning in creating our routes.
We only use local hire companies who maintain their vehicles to a high standard and are thriving to reduce CO 2 emissions. The vehicle is chosen on a need basis so we never use a vehicle larger than what is required.
Walkers as a rule are very environmentally aware of the consequences of their actions and have a high regard for the environment. Our leaders are instructed to always carry bin bags on route to take away any rubbish that we generate and usually we will pick up what was not generated by us.
We make positive contributions by studding our walking routes and refrain from using some during parts of the year in order protect: rare flowers, Jersey Tiger Moth of Petaloudes and the endangered Gizani Fish.
Within our own office we use energy saving lighting, recycled paper; recycled ink cartridges and we recycle glass, plastic, steel and cardboard and old brochures etc
Solar panels for heating water and producing electricity.
Social
We are a walking holiday company and focused on “customer satisfaction” for walkers at all levels. We aim to show our customers as much “local life “as possible. Discover local industry, farming techniques, culture and customs of the area. By showing interest in local practises we hope that we can contribute in sustaining these for future generations to experience and enjoy. When we stop for some refreshments mostly at the end of the walk, it gives our customers an opportunity to meet and see Greek family run establishments in small villages that become meeting places for the locals.
The management team and some of the walking guides are resident in Greece, all year or for substantial periods of the year.
We encourage and provide our customers with some basic knowledge of the Greek language. There is a major misunderstanding that everybody can speak English but this is not the case and even many well educated Greeks with professional occupations have limited knowledge of the English language. This is a trend in areas away from the standard Tourist hot spots.
Some of our guides can speak Greek and all of our guides are encouraged to learn the language. We do offer some basic advice to our customers and encourage them to participate with a few words with our Greek partners and friends.
Community
Our policy is to make time available for our customers to get involved with local practises if they so request. We can arrange for some time be allocated to observe and participate with the local farmers in the picking and processing of olives and harvesting orange and lemon groves during the respective season. As part of our package holidays we have a local Greek person to join us in the evening’s and gives cultural talks on Rhode’s local history and culture. The walking routes then become more interesting, promotes increase knowledge and interest in life of the area.
We arrange a music entertainment evening with local singers and many our Greek friends enjoy joining us.
As an organisation we know about local customs and traditions and make sure that our clientele are made aware of these.
There is an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange to happen as the Greeks are becoming more active in walking for health, more of a jog rather than walking for pleasure. They are now becoming more interested in our activities and some are very supportive in showing us some “hidden treasures of Rhodes”
Economical
Encouraging visitors into the area creates employment at the hotels, restaurants, cafes, local shops and bars etc.
Our walking routes take us away from the tourist hot spots and through the occasional small village not on the tourist route, our walks brings some economical advantages to areas of the island that lack this opportunity, this is definitely welcomed by villages.
We are promoting our walking holidays in what would be regarded as “off season” and this is appreciated by the residents of Rhodes.
All these issues also ensure that our customers benefit from excellent service and value for money.
We give our customers an opportunity to see locally produced products away from the standard tourist shops.
We encourage our suppliers to use fresh local produce and to use traditional cooking methods. We are working in partnerships with many Greek individuals and organisations.
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