THEOFILOS CHALKIADAKIS S.A.

Initiative Objective

The initiative of Cactus Hotels and ReHORECA aims to create a pioneering collaborative model of sustainable development for the Greek tourism sector.

The main objectives are:

Developing joint circular economy initiatives.
Training and engaging employees and partners.
Empowering guests to actively participate in sustainability actions.
Strengthening the local community.
Creating measurable social and environmental impact.

The partnership is based on collective action and on connecting businesses, suppliers, social organisations, and guests around a shared vision for sustainable development.

The initiative addresses:

Cactus Hotels employees, encouraging their active participation in collaborative initiatives and sustainable management practices.
Suppliers and business partners, promoting responsible production, procurement, and consumption practices throughout the value chain.
The local community of Heraklion and Crete, through awareness-raising, education, and environmental engagement activities.
Hotel guests, who become active participants in the philosophy of circular economy and social responsibility.
The wider tourism industry, serving as a best practice example that can inspire similar partnerships and collaborative sustainability initiatives.

From July 2025 to present, with continuous expansion of sustainability actions, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives.

The Cactus Hotels – ReHORECA partnership represents an integrated partnership model combining:

Circular economy principles.
Sustainable waste management.
Social awareness and engagement.
Education and capacity building.
Participatory governance.

The initiative includes:

A shared sustainability action framework.
Training and educational programmes.
Monitoring and evaluation teams.
Guest awareness activities.
Volunteer and environmental initiatives.
Partnerships with social and environmental organisations.
Programmes supporting sustainable local development.

The innovative element of the collaboration lies in the creation of an active cooperation ecosystem connecting:

Hotels.
Employees.
Suppliers.
Circular economy organisations.
Local communities.
Guests.

The partnership operates as a model of collective action and shared responsibility for the Greek tourism sector.

Collaboration with Another Organisation

ReHORECA serves as a strategic partner of Cactus Hotels in the design and implementation of circular economy and sustainable hospitality initiatives.

The collaboration includes:

Knowledge transfer and specialised expertise.
Provision of innovative tools and methodologies.
Development of ESG practices.
Networking with sustainability organisations and stakeholders.
Continuous monitoring and evaluation of results.

Mr. Nikos Chalkiadakis, CEO of Cactus Hotels and founding member of ReHORECA, supports the strategic alignment of the partnership with the broader transformation of the tourism sector towards a more sustainable operational model.

Employee / Volunteer Participation

The initiative actively engages employees and partners through:

Training programmes.
Sustainability teams.
Environmental activities.
Beach clean-up initiatives.
Cross-departmental dialogue.
Participatory improvement practices.

More than 400 employees actively participated in the partnership’s sustainability actions, contributing to the development of a strong culture of collaboration and environmental responsibility.

Stalis, Crete, Greece, covering all Cactus Hotels properties across Crete.

Results and Impact on Target Audiences

Measurable Results

The initiative has achieved significant measurable outcomes:

65% reduction of waste directed to landfill.
113 tonnes of materials recycled or recovered.
More than 88% employee participation in sustainability activities.
More than 85% of guests informed and engaged in sustainability practices.
Creation of a shared collaboration framework promoting sustainable tourism in Crete.

Impact

The initiative has contributed to:

Creating a culture of collaboration and sustainability.
Strengthening environmental awareness among guests and employees.
Developing stronger relationships of trust with the local community.
Establishing a replicable partnership model for the tourism sector.

Operational Benefits

Improved operational efficiency.
Reduced waste management costs.
Enhanced ESG performance and sustainability indicators.

Strategic Benefits

Establishing Cactus Hotels as a benchmark for sustainable collaboration.
Strengthening corporate reputation.
Recognition through sustainability and environmental awards.
Enhancing relationships with stakeholders and the local community.