For the society

GROWING IN A FAIR AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT 

Santo Collection takes proactive actions to support employees, guests, the local community, and its supply chain.

A significant milestone in this effort was the “Sustainable Supplies” program, launched in 2022. With Metaxa Hospitality Group leading the way, it became the first hotel group in Greece to implement such an initiative, reinforcing our commitment to responsible sourcing and the regeneration of hospitality. 

Our people are the most essential factor for us to be able to provide the highest quality services of authentic Greek hospitality. Our people are at the heart of all our actions. We actively invest in their growth through initiatives focused on equal participation, voluntary benefits, employment opportunities, training, and education on sustainability.

Equal Participation 

Santo Collection enforces a policy against discrimination and promotes equal opportunities, inclusion, and diversity at work. This ensures a work environment free from exclusion and fosters a culture that respects and capitalizes on diversity. Additionally, Santo Collection is committed to maintaining a healthy, violence-free, and harassment-free work environment. To support this commitment, we have developed a comprehensive anti-violence and anti-harassment policy. All employees undergo training during their initial orientation to understand and effectively implement these policies.

Voluntary Benefits 

Our employees are the key players in delivering the authentic Greek hospitality services. To ensure a healthy and stable work environment, we offer voluntary benefits that support the well-being of our staff. This reinforces our Group and therefore Santo Collection as a preferred employer in the tourism industry, attracting both existing and future employees.

Contribution to Employment 

We are dedicated to contributing to the local community by actively hiring employees from the areas in which we operate. We prioritize equitable hiring practices that provide opportunities for residents and help strengthen the regional workforce.

Training Programs 

Santo Collection invests in the professional development of its employees by offering formal training programs. These programs enhance technical skills and industry knowledge, and include seminars and conferences conducted in partnership with external experts. 

Education on Sustainability Issues

Employees play a crucial role in achieving our sustainable development goals. To ensure they are well-informed and equipped to implement sustainability initiatives, Santo Collection provides all new employees with sustainability training as part of their orientation. Additionally, our staff is promptly notified of relevant decisions and offered ongoing training to stay updated. This empowers our team to effectively contribute to our sustainability actions and drive positive change.

At Santo Collection, as part of our ongoing commitment to corporate social governance, our resort has been implementing a comprehensive Procurement Policy since 2019. This policy fosters a collaborative relationship with national and local producers and suppliers, driving the adoption of high-quality, locally sourced products and promoting the local economy. Our Procurement Policy is designed to minimize environmental impact, enhance supplier sustainability, and ensure compliance with global ESG standards.

Our primary goal is to support the local economy of Santorini and Greece by prioritizing local merchants and businesses. By choosing local products, we not only bring our guests closer to the island’s traditions but also contribute to the financial vitality of the community. Additionally, this approach helps reduce carbon emissions associated with international transportation, furthering our commitment to a more sustainable hospitality experience in Santorini. 

In 2021, Santo Collection, as part of Metaxa Hospitality Group, launched the pioneering “Sustainable Supplies – Action for a Sustainable Future” program in collaboration with Local Food Experts, a pioneering initiative in the Greek hospitality industry. This comprehensive program aims to educate and support our supplier partners in adopting sustainable business practices, specifically focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. The program is a novel initiative for the Greek hospitality industry, with the participation of 10 partners/suppliers, initially from the Food & Beverages sector. Through this initiative, we train our supplier partners to understand organic regenerative production and sustainable procurement, gradually building a group of sustainable suppliers.

Program Structure

The program is structured in five stages: 

• Self-Assessment: We provide participants with KPIs based on global ESG standards, evaluating their sustainable practices across various sectors.
• Analysis of Results: Our team of experts processes the results, setting priorities for education and training. 
• Education: We facilitate open discussions, study groups, and online or in-person meetings to educate participants on sustainable business principles. 
• Reassessment: We monitor the implementation and improvement of sustainable practices. 
• Award of Participation: Suppliers receive a certification upon successful completion of the program’s stages.

By the end of the program, suppliers will have: 

• Understood sustainable corporate governance principles 
• Gained substantial knowledge of sustainable practices in the food sector 
• Acquired tools and sustainable practices to implement in their operations 

Program Implementation

The program is structured in three cycles, with the first cycle focusing on supplier self-assessment and result analysis, the second cycle educating participants on sustainable manufacturing and regenerative agriculture, and the third cycle reassessing sustainable practices and awarding certification.  

In 2023, we commenced the inclusion of suppliers’ land in EU Reg 2018/848 for Organic Agriculture, with the goal of having each producer/supplier develop an Organic Product Code incorporating Organic Regenerative Agriculture practices. 

Key Focus Areas of the Program

The sustainability training revolves around 9 globally recognized ESG modules that guide suppliers in their green transition:

• Corporate governance 
• Water management 
• Energy management 
• Waste and by-products management 
• Infection prevention 
• Ecosystem management 
• Supplies and markets 
• Human resources 
• Neighbors and community 

The Future of Sustainable Procurement

We will establish a process to evaluate our supply chain based on ESG criteria, focusing on environmental and social aspects, and plan to implement this process from 2026 onwards, starting with our primary food and beverage suppliers. We believe that our commitment to sustainable procurement and the “Sustainable Supplies” program will contribute significantly to our environmental and social responsibility goals, fostering a more regenerative future for our guests, suppliers, and the local community. 

The Program in Numbers

• 10 Supplier Partners 
• 4 Key Pillars 
• 9 Globally Recognized ESG Modules 
• 188 Self-Assessment Questions 
• 3 Educational Manuals 
• 36 Educational Meetings 
• 37 Training Courses and Field Visits