Phāea Resorts are giving bucket list box tickers even more reason to add Crete to their dream travel bucket list as the company leads in responsible tourism with new year-round eco, cultural and social sustainability programs extending to every facet of the resorts and beyond.

By definition, responsible travel aims to minimize negative social, economic and environmental impact to a destination, encourages the growth and wellbeing of the local community, promotes conservation of natural environmental and cultural heritage, while providing a more enjoyable and meaningful experience for guests.

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Supporting our employees

Phāea Resorts are committed to hiring local staff wherever possible and embrace that many work as farmers in low season, as Crete is a highly self-sustainable island known for its agriculture. We are investing in our employees’ agricultural efforts with the Phāea Farmers Program, providing support through collaborations with agronomists to train in organic farming methods and sustainable land use. Ultimately the program is creating more value and quality production and the resorts can source the highest quality local produce for use at the resorts. 

There are currently 11 employees in the program cultivating 23 land parcels reaching a total of 12 local communities around Crete. Training programs include how to plant vegetables, theoretical and practical trainings on soil health and sustainable crop management, agriculture productivity and pruning practices in selected olive grove and vineyards.

A variety of products are produced including aloe, grapes, wine, herbs, honey, fruits (apples, pears, strawberries, bananas, citrus (orange, lemons, mandarins), olives/olive oil, seasonal vegetables (tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplants, potatoes), dairy products, and raki, a traditional, Cretan grape-based spirit.

The Program’s Benefits

The program benefits the seasonal farming staff, and also the local community’s health, environment and economy. The farmers are able to increase their annual income, contribute to region’s wider economy and training in sustainable land use benefits the soil and discourages the use of dangerous pesticides and chemicals.

These efforts ultimately offer our guests fresh products that are authentically local, nutritional and environmentally friendly. Guests can feel confident about sitting down to a meal knowing where the food is from and its positive impact on the land, destination, and culture.

Cretans have one of the highest life expectancies in the world, thanks largely to their Mediterranean diet and lifestyle that originated in Crete. The resorts emphasize Crete’s ancient traditional vegan and vegetarian dishes providing nourishment for the body and soul. Procuring quality, sustainable, seasonal ingredients from local farmers and the resorts’ on-property kitchen gardens represents an investment in the health of our staff, guests and the earth itself.

The Phāea Olive Oil

^{This year, our guests will have the opportunity to also taste our very own Phāea Olive-Oil, sourced to our kitchens and restaurants. Τhe Extra Virgin Phāea Olive-Oil is obtained directly from olives & solely by mechanical means.}

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