METAXA HOSPITALITY GROUP

Sustainability is the central pillar guiding our entire corporate governance. Our regenerative, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible policies and practices form the foundation of our strategy—not only in the design, construction, and operation of our hotels, but also in the management of natural resources. Through our programs, we are actively committed to reducing our environmental footprint, addressing climate change, and shaping a resilient, environmentally conscious food system with a focus on soil health.

The program “Regenerating Lassithi Plateau and Its People – Towards a Sustainable Food Destination” highlights the critical challenges of soil management and agricultural production on a global scale, while also promoting environmental awareness, social well-being, and the strengthening of the local economy through Organic Regenerative Agriculture.

Our strategic approach aims to:

i. improve quality of life in the rural communities of the Lassithi Plateau,
ii. promote sustainable food consumption,
iii. facilitate a healthy and sustainable diet within the local community,
iv. create and evaluate social impact, and
v. reduce food waste.

The “Regenerating Lassithi Plateau and Its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination” program is fully aligned with the sustainable practices we have followed since 1975. Furthermore, it complements existing innovative programs implemented by the Group in recent years, including the “Sustainable Hotel Farming” and “Sustainable Supplies” programs, for which the Group has received both international and national recognition from the TTG Travel Industry Awards and Hellenic Responsible Business Awards. It is also the first Hospitality Group in Greece with certified organic-regenerative hotel lands, accredited to the O.R.A. (Organic-Regenerative Agriculture) Standard by the DIO Institute of Organic Agriculture.

A primary goal of the program is the restoration of soil health, which is vital for addressing the major environmental challenges of our time. As a Group, we remain committed to creating unique hospitality experiences that authentically reflect the essence of Greece—from culture and customs to gastronomy and the history of each destination where we operate.

Our mission is to connect regenerative food production with culinary excellence, offering nutritious, high-quality choices both to local communities and to our guests.

The collaboration and active participation of the members of the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative is particularly important to the program’s success.

The key steps include: • Selection of suitable agricultural plots for cultivation and guidance of farmers, in accordance with European Regulation 2018/848 on organic farming. • Collaboration with farmers and the Group’s procurement departments to develop a specialized cultivation plan, specifying the required quantities, products, and delivery schedules. • Training participating farmers in the implementation of organic regenerative agricultural practices, tailored to the conditions of the Lassithi Plateau. • Continuous assessment of cultivation practices, with the aim of optimizing and making necessary adjustments to achieve ideal outcomes. • Distribution of products produced through regenerative practices to our hotels, offering guests an authentic gastronomic experience.

The initiative is directed towards local farmers of the Lassithi Plateau, who receive training in adopting Organic Regenerative Agriculture practices, as well as to the new generation of farmers, who are provided with innovative agricultural education in regenerative cultivation methods, thus strengthening long-term community relationships.

Guests of the Metaxa Hospitality Group hotels are also an integral part of the initiative’s audience, as they enjoy products sourced from regenerative agriculture while also being educated in adopting optimal sustainable culinary choices in their daily lives. Additionally, the ecosystem of partners in the agri-food and tourism sectors benefits from the new synergies created, delivering measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits to the entire community.

The program began in 2023 and continues to the present day, with ongoing evaluation and expansion of its practices.

Metaxa Hospitality Group actively connects hospitality with regenerative food production, creating new value chains for the environment, the local community, and the economy, with a strong emphasis on restoring soil health and promoting culinary excellence.

Through the pioneering program "Regenerative Agriculture for the Lassithi Plateau and Its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination," Metaxa Hospitality Group ensures the regeneration of soil across approximately 40 stremmas of farmland and, for the first time in the hospitality sector, co-develops a resilient, regenerative, and environmentally friendly food system, delivering measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits.

At the same time, this initiative enables the Greek hotel group—internationally recognized for its achievements in sustainable development—to promote significant synergies between the hospitality and food sectors.

Within the framework of the program, which Metaxa Hospitality Group has successfully designed and implemented over the past three years, and in collaboration with the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative and with the contribution of Local Food Experts—our strategic partners in sustainable development for over three decades—local farmers receive on-site training from specialized agronomists in the principles of organic regenerative agriculture.

The products cultivated are absorbed by the Group’s hotels, enhancing the high-level gastronomic experience enjoyed by our guests every year. Our vision is to facilitate the transition to Organic Regenerative Agriculture in the Lassithi Plateau.

We recognize the potential of the local ecosystem and believe that the Lassithi Plateau can be transformed into a protected agri-food destination that fully utilizes its plant and animal production capacity. The Lassithi Plateau was chosen as one of the largest agricultural regions in Crete—and in Greece—with which we share strong community ties.

We have collaborated closely for decades with the Lassithi Plateau through the Agricultural Cooperative and local farmers, who supply Metaxa Hospitality Group hotels with pure, local products.

The main challenges we faced were related to understanding the framework of Regenerative Agriculture and changing farmers’ mindsets. However, the first farmers who chose to participate quickly realized the program’s many benefits and now support it enthusiastically.

The initiatives “Sustainable Hotel Agriculture” and “Regenerative Agriculture for the Lassithi Plateau and Its People” are implemented in close cooperation with two strategic partners:
1) Local Food Experts, which strengthens the connection between local production and tourism, promoting sustainable development and adding value to the local economy, and
2) the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative, which enhances both the credibility and effectiveness of the programs by combining local experience with expertise in sustainable agri-food practices.

The main steps of the collaboration include:
• Selection of suitable agricultural plots for cultivation and guidance for farmers, in accordance with European Regulation 2018/848 on organic agriculture.
• Collaboration with farmers and the Group’s procurement departments to develop a specialized cultivation plan that outlines the required quantities, products, and delivery timelines.
• Training participating farmers in the implementation of organic regenerative agricultural practices, adapted to the conditions of the Lasithi Plateau.
• Ongoing assessment of cultivation practices to optimize results and make any necessary adjustments.
• Supplying products produced through regenerative methods to our hotels, providing guests with an authentic gastronomic experience.

Local Food Experts

Local Food Experts is a social cooperative enterprise based in Heraklion, Crete, operating in the fields of sustainable agri-food, tourism, and education. The LFE team, consisting of experts in agriculture, tourism, and sustainable development, works with local farmers and businesses to promote regional products and strengthen the local economy. LFE provides training in agricultural practices, supports the growth of local businesses, and fosters the link between tourism and local production, enhancing sustainability and social responsibility.

The partnership with both the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative and Local Food Experts ensures the successful implementation of the initiative by combining local knowledge with contemporary expertise to promote regenerative agriculture and sustainable development in the region.

Lasithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative

Based in Tzermiado, the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative is one of the most historic and productive cooperatives in Crete. With 300 members, mainly livestock farmers and cultivators, it produces high-quality products such as feta, graviera, yogurt, and mizithra under the brand name "Dikti." Annually, it processes around 1,500 tons of milk from 25,000 sheep, producing 200–250 tons of cheese for the market.

The employees of Metaxa Hospitality Group are actively involved in the development and implementation of the initiative. Chefs and procurement teams contribute to the planning of specialized cultivation strategies, the selection of products, and the creation of dishes that incorporate regenerative ingredients, offering guests an authentic gastronomic experience at our hotels. Program managers oversee and assess the progress of the initiative, ensuring compliance with quality and sustainability standards. Through ongoing training and guidance, employees gain a deeper understanding of regenerative hospitality and its positive impact on the local community and environment.

The initiative is implemented in the Lassithi Plateau, Crete, with the products being used in the Metaxa Hospitality Group’s hotels on the island.

The initiative highlights the Lassithi Plateau as a sustainable food destination, promoting Organic Regenerative Agriculture practices that benefit the environment and create a positive impact on society and the local economy.

Through innovative agricultural education, the active involvement of younger generations in organic regenerative farming, and the strengthening of long-term community relationships, the initiative establishes a strong social foundation for the sustainable development of the region and deepens the link between local production and hospitality.

The environmental benefits are significant, as the initiative contributes to improved soil health, supports clean air and water, reduces environmental impacts, and helps mitigate climate change. It fosters a healthy, environmentally friendly food system that allows the land to regain its natural balance and essential functions.

Additionally, clear positive outcomes are observed in terms of enhanced biodiversity, soil enrichment, and improved health of aquatic ecosystems. The fundamental principles of Organic Regenerative Agriculture applied here include minimal soil disturbance, crop rotation for diversity, soil coverage with native vegetation for natural protection, maintaining root systems throughout the year, and integrating livestock where possible. This approach aids in sequestering carbon in the soil, increasing crop yields, and improving the health and prosperity of rural communities.

At the same time, the initiative has a strong social impact by educating and inspiring the new generation of farmers, strengthening long-term community bonds, and positioning the Lassithi Plateau as a model sustainable food destination.

The economic benefits include supporting the local economy by absorbing products into the Group’s hotels, ensuring stable income for farmers, and fostering meaningful connections between farmers and the hospitality sector—enhancing business opportunities in the region.

The initiative has already delivered measurable results: eight farmers have been trained and are implementing Organic Regenerative Agriculture practices on 90 stremmas of farmland, where twelve categories of vegetables and fruits are cultivated in compliance with European Regulation 848/2018.

Over the past three years, 41.5 tons of produce have been harvested and used by the Group’s hotels to prepare more than 30,000 meals for guests.

Through this process, the initiative enhances the recognition of the Lassithi Plateau as a model sustainable food destination and acts as a multiplier for positive change within the local community, delivering tangible and significant results for the environment, society, and the economy.

Through the innovative program "Regenerating Lassithi Plateau and Its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination," Metaxa Hospitality Group contributes to reducing its carbon footprint, enhancing resilience to climate change, and promoting a healthy, environmentally friendly food system, while also enabling the land to restore its essential ecosystem services.

From an economic perspective, the initiative helps foster an open mindset and the development of new business practices, directly supporting the local economy by integrating local products into the Group’s hotels and ensuring stable income for local farmers.

The transition to Organic Regenerative Agriculture also creates meaningful connections between farmers and the hospitality sector, increasing economic opportunities and strengthening the link between local production and the culinary experience of guests.

Within the framework of the program, eight farmers cultivate twelve categories of fresh vegetables and fruits on 40 stremmas of farmland, following the principles of Organic Regenerative Agriculture and in compliance with European Regulation 848/2018.

Over the past three years, a total of 41.5 tons of products have been produced and used as raw ingredients for dishes created by the hotels’ chefs, highlighting the region’s gastronomic identity and delivering measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits.