Messinia’s leading Costa Navarino Resort has been honoured with “Europe’s Responsible Tourism Award 2017” at the 24th World Travel Awards.
“The award is reinforcing the destination’s commitment to responsible tourism and further strengthening its position as a sustainable tourism destination,” the company said in an announcement.
Costa Navarino’s philosophy and activities are driven by their desire to promote this stunning area in the Peloponnese, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage. It has introduced a new model of sustainable tourism, enhancing the local economy with respect to the environment, history and tradition, and local communities.
The company has applied several sustainability practices, including the biggest olive-tree transplanting program in Europe, in an effort to preserve the landscape, with more than 6,500 trees transplanted so far. It also created two water reservoirs to cover the area’s irrigation needs, including the two signature-designed golf courses.
Costa Navarino, in partnership with the Academy of Athens, the Stockholm University and number of NGOs, has also created the Navarino Nature Hall, an interactive environmental centre, which is open to guests and to the local community and aims at informing adults and children on Messinia’s flora and fauna, as well as on ways of protecting the environment for future generations.
As the region includes one of the richest biodiversity areas in Europe, Costa Navarino has implemented a monitoring and protection program for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta Caretta). Moreover, a pioneering program was initiated for the protection of the only European population of the African chameleonin the Gialova lagoon, which is a Natura 2000 site.
Costa Navarino encourages its guests to immerse in the local traditions and practices of the region by offering a variety of authentic experiences, including olive oil tasting sessions, to cooking lessons with locals and engaging in Philosophy Walks.
