Neptune Hotels – Resort, Convention Centre & Spa has been steadily improving their environmental and social impacts for many years, and began working toward Travelife Certification in 2013.  They were chosen as this month’s winner due to the way they have integrated supporting the local economy with improving their environmental impacts from food, and the way they have used this as a means to educate their guests about local heritage and sustainable gastronomy.
In 2018 the property set about increasing the volume of food they procure from Kos and the wider Dodecanese island group, thus reducing the carbon emissions from food shipping whilst helping to boost local businesses.  They also set about increasing their purchase of food products that carry a reputable international sustainability certification, such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified fish products and Rainforest Alliance certified ice cream. By 2019 they were beginning to see real results, increasing the food and beverage supplies sourced locally from 13% to 36% per guest night and reducing the amount of food that is produced outside of Greece from 52% to 34%. 

The production and waste of meat products is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, so the property were able to begin addressing that through this new policy.  In 2019 there was a 9.1% reduction in meat per overnight guest stay compared to 2015 to 2018, and a corresponding 10.7% increase in vegetables and a 21% increase in fruit purchasing. 

In addition to a wide range of fresh, local, healthy food to choose from, guests staying at Neptune Hotels – Resort, Convention Centre & Spa, are also invited to get involved in various regular sustainable food and beverage experiences, such as cooking classes that feature local produce and local wine tasting events.