DETOCS - First Regional Stakeholders Meeting - CRETE
The 1st Local Stakeholders Meeting for the European DETOCS project "DEcarbonizing the TOurism Industry Post Covid-19 Support" was held online on the 30th October 2023, within the framework of the INTERREG EUROPE Program, in which CIHEAM-MAICh and the Region of Crete participated. This project is co-financed by the European Union and national resources and concerns the decarbonization of the tourism industry with an emphasis on hotel facilities.
This meeting was attended by various stakeholders from academic and research institutions, from public as well as private bodies. More specifically, Mr. Angelakis Georgios, the project Manager of CIHEAM-MAICh, made a presentation of the project. This was followed by the Head of the Environment and Spatial Planning department of the Region of Crete, Mrs. Kargaki Eleni, who referred to the actions of the Region of Crete to upgrade energy policies.
The external scientific collaborator in the project, Mr. Vourdoubas Ioannis presented several sustainable energy technologies with low or zero-carbon footprint that could be used in hotels while Mr. Konstantzos Georgios, from the private consulting company Innoveco presented a platform for measuring the energy footprint in tourism facilities.
The Director of the Regional Development Fund of Crete and Head of the Energy Center of the Region of Crete Mr. Zografakis Nikolaos referred to existing good practices while Mr. Stamatakis Emmanuel, from the Hotel Association of Chania, pointed out the needs and challenges of the hotel industry to reduce its environmental impacts. Mr. Mountakis Dimitrios, from the commercial and industrial Chamber of Chania, referred to related energy projects which are running with the participation of the Chamber of Chania while Mr. Volikakis Emmanuel, from the Regional Unit of Chania, Department of Tourism, referred to local policies promoting sustainable tourism.
Mr. Plokamakis Georgios, from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator, pointed out the activities of the Network while Mr. Kalogerakis Antonios referred to the contribution of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in environmentally sustainable activities. Mr. Gerambinis Efstathios, from the Technical University of Crete, referred to a more holistic approach in achieving energy sustainability while Ms. Despotidou Eleni from the Center for Environmental Education of Vamos emphasized the need for information and environmental awareness among students.
Finally, Mr. Emmanuel Lavoutas from the local Center for Heating and Air Conditioning, presented some successful applications of Renewable Energy technologies in hotels in Crete.