sustainable tourism in Cyprus

To achieve this, we work closely with local vendors, artisans, farmers, family businesses, and winemakers, helping them grow and thrive. Our tours include visits to the mountain villages of Troodos, workshops and masterclasses conducted by locals, and visits to nature reserves. By choosing these tours and excursions, visitors financially support these producers.

We look at the hotel's participation in eco-programs, such as:

• Hotels for climate
  
• Circular Hotels
  
• The EHGS Standard
  
• Promotion of circular economy in hotels and tourist accommodation
  
• Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative
  
• International Sustainable Awards
  
• Travelife Award
  
• Green Key
  
• ISO14001 Environmental Management System Standard
  
• ISO 50001 – Energy management
  
• Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
  

In addition, we come to the hotels ourselves and have the opportunity to assess what resources the hotel uses to reduce energy consumption (for example, using solar heating for hot water, using energy efficient lamps, using key cards to avoid energy use while guestrooms are unoccupied, installing magnetic switches on balcony doors and windows to turn off air conditioning when open, using voltage optimizing units to reduce electricity consumption), recycle waste (bins for separate garbage collection), and create an accessible environment (ramps).

With over 200 trails on Cyprus, the island rightfully deserves the title of the hiking island.

Moreover, we send a newsletter to clients about our contribution to Sustainable Tourism in Cyprus. Through our pre-trip communications, tour materials, newsletter, website and social media for the last 3 months, we have reached 3 500 customers - travel agents from European countries as well as from the Middle East., raising awareness about responsible travel behavior and promoting eco-friendly activities in Cyprus.
Our presentation about Cyprus, with which we travel to international travel shows, also includes information about sustainable and eco-tourism options in Cyprus.

• Moreover, we come to the hotels ourselves and have the opportunity to assess what resources the hotel uses to reduce energy consumption (for example, using solar heating for hot water, using energy efficient lamps, using key cards to avoid energy use while guestrooms are unoccupied, installing magnetic switches on balcony doors and windows to turn off air conditioning when open, using voltage optimizing units to reduce electricity consumption), recycle waste (bins for separate garbage collection).
• All our marketing materials, including brochures, business cards, feedback forms, catalogs, and internal documentation, are in an online format. We do not use printers or paper. Thus, we save 2-3 trees from being cut down each year. Tree usage calculator - https://mightymercado.github.io/Tree-Usage-Calculator/
• OLTA Travel Cyprus team not only organizes but also participates in environmental team building events. So for 2022 and the first half of 2023 we have cleaned 3 beaches.

This could be demonstrated by quantifying the number of cultural sites visited, traditional activities offered, or partnerships established with local artisans or cultural organizations.

Our Guaranteed tour includes visits to 8 historic (including UNESCO) sites, and mountain villages, as well as master classes from local people. Altogether, it turns out that for the first six months of 2023, we realized at least 224 visits to historical, authentic places in Cyprus. And that's not counting the organization of individual tours and SIC excursions.

You can see the program of guaranteed departures here.