Aphrodite Hills Resort has been awarded Travelife Gold Certification for developing and implementing a comprehensive sustainability programme, implementing environmentally friendly practices and supporting local communities.
The certificate was awarded to the Cypriot resort following a comprehensive audit of its infrastructure and facilities, which confirmed that it has achieved high standards of environmental management, social responsibility and corporate governance. This is a very important recognition of the continuous efforts made by the management and staff of Aphrodite Hills Resort, both in the context of the highest level of services it offers and its exemplary performance in the natural, economic and social environment of the destination.
This award is the result of the implementation of specific practices in the hotel's daily operations, such as minimising environmental impact, improving the economic and social impact on people in its community, respecting and protecting human rights and fair labour practices, and ensuring animal welfare and biodiversity. Awards such as these are a special honour for both the hotel and Aphrodite Hills Resort, as our commitment to sustainable practices is now part of our identity and culture. As representatives of the tourism industry, it is our responsibility to contribute to the creation of a quality product that offers our guests a responsible and environmentally friendly holiday," said Andreas Chrysostomou, General Manager of Aphrodite Hills Resort.
Travelife Gold certification is an internationally recognised system for certifying the sustainability of hotels and other tourism businesses based on their environmental, social and economic impact, and is awarded when they meet a rigorous set of criteria (over 160) at all levels of their operations.
To date, just over one thousand hotels around the world that appear on the Travelife online platform have been certified as Travelife Gold.
The initiative was launched in 2007 by the British travel association ABTA. It covers a wide range of sustainability criteria, including environmental and social criteria such as minimising energy, waste and water consumption, as well as positive measures for employee wellbeing, working with local communities and protecting local traditions and wildlife.
In order to achieve Travelife certification, a number of outcomes must be achieved, including the use of energy efficient LED light bulbs, the conservation of water resources by producing water through a reverse osmosis process, the elimination of disposable plastic cups and the replacement of plastic straws with biodegradable ones, the thorough recycling of all waste such as plastic, glass, aluminium, cardboard, soap and vegetable oils, light bulbs, batteries and electrical equipment, the minimisation of organic kitchen waste and the recycling of all waste materials.
Aphrodite Hills is a 234-hectare luxury resort and golf village in Cyprus, located on the Mediterranean coast, 20 kilometres from Paphos and 45 kilometres from Limassol.
Facilities include an 18-hole golf course with Cyprus PGA National status, golf academy, tennis courts, spa centre, restaurants and shops, riding club, 5-star hotel and children's club. The resort regularly hosts international golf and tennis competitions.
In 2020, Aphrodite Hills has been selected to host two prestigious European Open tournaments, each with a prize fund of €1 million, demonstrating the resort's high level of service, infrastructure and real estate.