Driven as we are at Anassa by heart, soul and substance, sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility have long been woven into our DNA. That’s why we are thrilled to announce we have been awarded the Travelife Gold certification – an internationally recognised award scheme for independently audited hotels that have attained the highest standards of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility.
The Travelife Gold Certification Travelife, established in 2007, promotes sustainable practices within the travel and tourism industry. Achieving the Travelife Gold certification, Travelife’s highest award, required Anassa to undergo a detailed independent audit – and meet over 150 sustainability criteria – across all aspects of operations including energy efficiency, water and waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, fair labour practices, community relations and animal welfare.
Reducing Emissions
When it comes to reducing our carbon footprint at Anassa, we leave no stone unturned. We use grey water for garden watering, and use water-saving taps, meters and a low moisture mopping system. We recover heat from our energy-efficient chillers to warm the pool water, have AC units that deactivate when windows or doors are open, and implement daily monitoring protocols. We also a maintain a plastic-free beach, including a water filtration system to eliminate plastic bottle usage. We recycle paper, batteries, toners, cooking oil, and glass; use reusable containers instead of clingfilm in the kitchen, refillable toiletry bottles in the bathroom and reusable slippers in the spa; serve condiments in small dishes instead of packets and repurpose food remnants, including transforming fruit skins into traditional candied fruits for our breakfast buffet.
Conserving Biodiversity
We believe that the nature that surrounds our hotel is not only ours to enjoy but ours to protect. Anassa is a certified member of the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative, founded to develop sustainable tourism in Cyprus through the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, the sensible use of natural resources and the improvement of the social and economic conditions of marginalised rural communities of Cyprus.
Upholding Fair Labour Practices
We are deeply committed to human rights and fair labour practices. We always ensure that our employees place of work is safe and respectful, that they are paid fairly, and have access to professional development opportunities.
Supporting the Local Economy
We understand how important it is to boost the local economy, by working with local suppliers and employing from within the community. We prioritise the employment of local talent and encourage our employees to engage in volunteer work. Additionally, we offer hands-on work experience to students, donate to organisations like the Sophia Foundation to support vulnerable local individuals, and collaborate with Round Table 7 Paphos to provide postgraduate level scholarships to students facing financial hardship. On the culinary side, we source our citrus fruit from the Polis area, our meats from Paphos farms and charcuteries and make our own cheese from Polis Dairy’s blended sheep and goats’ milk. We always favour seasonal, local produce: potatoes from Larnaca’s red soil; organic raw honey and syrups from Limassol; a daily fresh Mediterranean catch from local fishermen plus local Cypriot eggs, herbs, legumes, olive oil, vinegars, capers, vine leaves… the list goes on.
Celebrating Local Culture
We love to celebrate local architectural styles and offer genuine cultural experiences at our hotels. Collaborating with local craftspeople and cultural groups, we ensure our guests enjoy an immersive experience, helping to preserve our region’s cultural heritage. Since 2017, we have sponsored and hosted more than 40 different events that have given dozens of local artists—in the fields of photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics, writing and more—the opportunity to present their work to the public.
Safeguarding Animal Welfare
Of course, we have strict policies to prevent animal exploitation of any kind and ensure that any guest activities involving animals are ethical and respectful. Our hotels are dog-friendly and in 2019 we established SIMBA Animal Aid: a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue of neglected or abandoned local animals, providing care and finding forever homes for around 400 strays a year.
Communicating with Guests
We inform guests about our initiatives, offer tips on sustainable practices, and encourage their feedback. We see it as our role to inspire everyone with our long-term commitment to sustainability.
Benefits for All
We believe that Anassa’s Travelife Gold certification is more than an achievement for us; it’s a broader shift towards responsible tourism that benefits everyone. For our guests, it means the comfort of staying in a hotel that align with their values, and sleeping safe in the knowledge that they are contributing to a more sustainable world. For local communities, it means working with a hotel that respects their rights, culture, and environment. It also sets a benchmark in the industry, encouraging other hotels to follow in our footsteps, weaving an ever-growing tapestry of environmental conservation, social responsibility and ethical business practices that benefits the world.
Learn more about our sustainability practices here.