Making a Difference – Yachting Holidays
The very nature of our yachting holidays involves our guests visiting different out-of-the-way places each day, places which enjoy the extra revenue generated by our visits that they might not otherwise expect to benefit from. Shopping for groceries and eating out at the local tavernas in each port of call is an integral part of the social aspect of our holidays.
We recognise that we operate our yachting holidays in pristine marine environments and we understand the importance of conserving them for future generations. All our yachts are supplied with a handbook, which contains tips for our guests on how to help conserve the unspoiled locations they love to sail in. All our old oil is siphoned into cans to avoid any possibility of spillage. Where possible, all materials are reused in some way, for example, old yacht ropes become mooring lines for dinghies and old sailcloth is made into laundry bags or car covers, even old uniforms are used for cleaning engines.
Approximately three quarters of our yacht spares are sourced locally. Not only does this benefit the local economy, it cuts down the transport miles and all the associated impacts that go with that aspect of importation. In addition to sourcing standard spares items, we are also working with local suppliers to supply some of our more specific needs such as customised flags and other branded items.
We register all our yachts to fly under the flag of the countries in which we operate. While this can be an expensive process, (albeit benefiting the local economy) it ensures our compliance with local legislation, which in turn helps cement good relations with local authorities, essential for the smooth running and risk management of our operations.
Getting it Pegged: We have tasked our overseas staff to identify 3 long-term initiatives that will bring positive benefits to the economies, communities and environments in which they live and work. The initiatives must be based around the three facets of sustainability via our own acronym PEG (People, Economy, Green). Here are some of the initiatives our staff have taken on.
The Northern Aegean and Yacht Pledge
The team at Halkidiki pledge to:
People:
- Show respect to local people at all times
- Learn some Greek
- Give old kit to local people instead of binning it
- Show them how to be better at customer service
Economy:
- To purchase all available supplies locally and not from the UK
- To employ local people where possible and to do so honouring local contract conditions
- To support a wide range of local businesses, so sharing the wealth
Green:
- Ensure bike rides respect farmers’ fields and pathways
- Flotilla crews and Trainers to pick up floating rubbish when possible at sea.
- Flotilla crews to encourage guests to keep bottles etc for recycling on return to Nea Skioni
- Avoid the use of Standby mode on all electronic kit
June 2010