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In accordance with the circular dated 15.11.2022 and numbered 2022/2 of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey on the "Turkish Sustainable Tourism Program," this protocol encompasses the requirements of Stage 1 of the Sustainable Tourism Program throughout the hotel.

Turkey aims to develop national sustainable tourism standards in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, considering the balance between the conservation and utilization of natural, cultural, and social resources, ensuring their development and global recognition without jeopardizing them.

TR-I, initiated under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), collaborates with all sectors and international organizations.

Within this framework, as Hellenic Heritage House:

   

We aim to implement a long-term sustainability management system that addresses environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, human rights, health, safety, risk, and crisis management, guiding continuous improvement. We have made necessary adjustments for this process, ensuring regular updates to this protocol for effective communication with internal stakeholders and partners.

During Stage 1 of the Sustainable Tourism Certification, Hellenic Heritage House:

 

    Ensures equal rights for employees without discrimination based on religion, language, race, gender, personal preferences, or disabilities, through training programs aimed at equipped, environmentally conscious, and aware generations.

 

    Strives to ensure guest safety and satisfaction with a focus on guest satisfaction while working towards workplace sustainability and guest sustainability in tourism.

    Identifies and mitigates environmental impacts related to our operations, aiming to strengthen positive environmental, economic, and social benefits while preventing, reducing, or mitigating negative effects.

 

1. CORE VALUES

We are a 100% Turkish-owned company with financial stability. We aim to work together with employees, customers, and suppliers to protect the environment. We support the local community, taking responsibility for the care and development of the cultural and social environment. We strive to enhance the customer experience, increase awareness among staff, guests, and suppliers, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen and enhance ecosystem and human welfare.

We create investment plans to ensure that the hotel is maintained at the highest standards to continually reduce environmental impacts, promote sustainable development and growth.

 

2. CORPORATE OBJECTIVES

At Hellenic Heritage House, our primary goal is to promote the name of the Üsküdar district among local guests and our country among international guests, aiming to be recognized as an exemplary institution with continuous improvement in all aspects and expanding business volume with quality.

We are constantly evolving to be the best. We believe in the power of continuous learning to improve service quality for steps that will satisfy all internal and external stakeholders and to contribute to the competence of individuals through education. Our main goal is to develop in economic, cultural, social, environmental, human rights, health, and safety areas.

 

Our goals with sustainability are as follows:

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    ECONOMIC DIMENSION: Circular, environmentally friendly, recycling economy, material procurement management, Environmental Management System, innovative, efficient technologies, long-lasting, aesthetic, reflecting ecological and social costs, regional and local marketing networks, direct purchasing, corruption prevention.

    SOCIAL DIMENSION: Improving human health, justice, equal opportunity approaches, accounting for the interests of future generations, democratization, participation of all social groups in all aspects of life, identifying at-risk discrimination groups, protective efforts, and decent job performance indicators.

    CULTURAL DIMENSION: Sustainable lifestyle, holistic perception of nature, aesthetic sense of sustainable development, local cultural diversity, preservation of traditional knowledge, tangible culture, consumer awareness, local community development.

    ECOLOGICAL DIMENSION: Efficient use of resources, seasonal consumption, biodiversity protection, ecological life cycle systems, preference for renewable energy, reduction of pollutants, emissions, and waste.

 

3. RISK MANAGEMENT

While producing responsible investments that create added value, identifying and managing risks related to all areas affected by our operations is one of our top priorities. Knowing that poorly managed risks can cause financial, operational, or reputational issues, we aim to integrate safety from the beginning by incorporating risk control into the design of our processes.

 

We create annual internal audit plans and share audit content capable of identifying operational, financial, reputational, and strategic risks with management.

 

While auditing legal compliance, staff and guest safety, information security, water safety, fire safety, and accounting records for anti-corruption, we also plan to include welfare-related topics of the local community and stakeholders in our internal audit scope and report necessary improvements. We strive to identify and monitor our impacts on soil, air, water, people, natural flora, biodiversity, and local businesses, and improve areas where we detect risks.

 

4. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Hellenic Heritage House is committed to complying with all legal requirements in its service processes.
5. EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND PARTICIPATION

Our employees are our most valuable asset. To minimize risks that may endanger their health and safety and to prevent work accidents, we are constantly improving our processes and following the latest technologies. Providing training, protecting human rights, and ensuring equal rights regardless of religion, language, or race are non-negotiable principles for us.

 

6. GUEST SATISFACTION & SAFETY

We prioritize receiving and resolving guest complaints from all sources and using them as opportunities. By evaluating feedback and resolving shortcomings from the guest’s perspective, we aim to increase satisfaction and enhance the quality of our accommodation services.

 

7. RESPECT FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Our main environmental goals include preventing pollution, protecting nature, reducing waste, recycling, and making waste harmless where necessary.

 

8. RESOURCE CONSUMPTION

Energy Conservation:
At Hellenic Heritage House, we aim to use energy resources efficiently and focus on continuous improvement in energy efficiency. We purchase energy-saving electronic products and conduct staff training on energy saving.

    Energy-saving or LED lights are used in all rooms.

    Outdoor lighting is provided with energy-efficient LED bulbs.

    In summer, curtains are kept open to use daylight and reduce air conditioning usage.

 

Water Conservation:
We use water-saving fixtures and apply various methods to reduce water consumption without compromising hygiene or guest satisfaction.

    Tap and shower flows are restricted with regulators.

    Toilets are equipped with water-saving flush systems.

    Public restroom faucets use water-saving attachments.

 

9. WASTE MANAGEMENT

Our primary goal is to reduce waste generation, manage waste with minimal environmental harm, and recycle where possible.

Under the “Zero Waste Certificate,” recyclable materials such as glass, paper, and plastic are separated at collection points throughout the hotel and regularly handed over to the Üsküdar Municipality for processing, with reports submitted to the E-ÇBS system.

 

10. HYGIENE AND CLEANLINESS

Hellenic Heritage House is committed to providing guests with a sterile environment, emphasizing daily room cleaning and the hygienic upkeep of all shared spaces.

 

11. SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Our procurement policy supports the local economy-95% of our suppliers and raw materials are local. To promote sustainable tourism, we prioritize environmentally friendly purchases that consume less energy, water, and produce less waste.