Sustainability Report
OBC Crete 2025
Presentation of Hotel Facilities
Hotel Facilities and Property Overview
OBC Crete is a well-established beachfront hotel located in the tranquil seaside village of Makrigialos on the southeastern coast of Crete. Set within beautifully landscaped Mediterranean gardens filled with colourful flowers and palm trees, the resort offers a peaceful and authentic island atmosphere ideal for families and couples.
The property comprises two main accommodation buildings, OBC Minos and OBC Zeus, interconnected by charming pedestrian pathways.
The ground floor of both buildings features large, welcoming lobby areas with a Children's Play Corner, Reception, Inclusive Restaurant with an online table reservation system and Patio A La Carte Restaurant.
At the heart of the resort, in the Minos Building, lies the iconic Long Bar offering drinks and snacks throughout the day, alongside a complimentary, fully equipped Gym open daily 07:00 - 21:00 and a Spa Studio offering a wide range of wellness treatments and therapies, as well as daily fitness classes with a professional instructor. Guests can easily book their treatments, massages and sports activities through Book Your Treatments & Massage and Book Sport Activity online.
Guests can unwind around large outdoor swimming pools with separate children's pools and generous sun terraces with sunbeds, and enjoy direct access to the sandy beach, where they will find the beach volley court and the Manolis Beach Kiosk with authentic Cretan delicacies and refreshments.
As part of Sunwing Makrigialos Beach, guests of OBC Crete enjoy full complimentary access to the extensive facilities of the Apollon Building, including a multi-purpose sports court, table tennis, a vibrant daily entertainment programme for all ages, a Mini Market with local products and international brands, and the Lollo & Bernie Boutique Shop, complemented by the Lollo & Bernie Kids Club and Teen Lounge with creative activities and team games..
The resort further offers complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, on-site private parking, accessible routes to all public areas and warm, genuine Cretan hospitality. And as the day comes to an end, the most breathtaking moment is the sunset, when the sky blends with endless colours, calms the soul and creates beautiful memories — turning your stay into one of the best weeks of the year.
Guests, Staff and Environmental Policy
OBC Crete and Sunwing Makrigialos Beach welcome approximately 18,000 guests during the summer season, supported by a team of 172 employees during the operational period (April–October).
The majority of our guests come from Nordic countries, while our employees are mainly local residents, supported by a small number of Nordic team members responsible for specialised services such as Shows, Spa & Wellness, Fitness activities, and the Lollo & Bernie Club.
Our commitment is based on a clear and comprehensive sustainability policy focused on responsible operations, including:
- Reducing energy and water consumption through efficient management practices and responsible use of resources.
- Promoting the reuse and recycling of materials wherever practical and reducing waste generation.
- Encouraging the development and integration of sustainable technologies, including renewable energy solutions where applicable.
- Monitoring and evaluating our environmental performance on a regular basis to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Providing the necessary resources to achieve our sustainability objectives, along with continuous training for employees on environmental protection, social responsibility, and health & safety matters.
- Communicating our policies, practices, and sustainability initiatives to employees, guests, suppliers, partners, and the wider community.
Through these commitments, OBC Crete and Sunwing Makrigialos Beach aim to provide high-quality guest experiences while operating responsibly and contributing to the protection of Crete’s natural environment.
Energy Use
At OBC Crete, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact through responsible energy management while maintaining high-quality guest services. Energy efficiency is a core part of our sustainability strategy, supported by modern technologies, regular monitoring, operational improvements, and staff awareness.
The hotel monitors energy performance through measurable indicators, including total energy consumption and energy use per guest night.
Measures Taken
- 100% LED lighting throughout the property.
- 100% certified renewable electricity supply.
- Installation of photovoltaic panels to increase renewable energy use.
- Gradual replacement of equipment with high-efficiency models.
- Regular energy audits and continuous monitoring of energy consumption.
- Building Management System (BMS) for efficient control of high-energy equipment.
- Timers and photocells to optimise outdoor lighting.
- Individual room thermostats and automatic controls to reduce energy use in unoccupied rooms.
- Heat recovery systems for improved hot water efficiency.
- Energy-efficient pool systems, including modern generators and crystal filtration technology.
- Heated swimming pools.
Energy Performance Monitoring and Targets
Energy consumption is continuously monitored through measurable indicators to evaluate performance and identify improvement opportunities. Energy consumption per guest night provides a more accurate measure of efficiency by taking occupancy levels into account.
To achieve our 2026–2027 targets, we will:
- Optimise energy-consuming equipment.
- Increase the use of renewable energy.
- Strengthen energy monitoring and operational controls.
- Invest in energy-efficient technologies.
- Continue employee awareness and training.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
At OBC Crete are committed to reducing energy consumption, improving efficiency, and protecting Crete’s natural environment through sustainable technologies, responsible practices, and ongoing performance monitoring, while maintaining high standards of guest comfort and service quality.
Water Use
OBC Crete, responsible water management is a key part of our sustainability strategy. We are committed to reducing water consumption, improving efficiency, and protecting Crete’s valuable water resources while maintaining high standards of guest comfort.
Measures Taken
- Water-saving aerators on taps and showers.
- Water-efficient toilets (maximum 6 litres per flush).
- Regular inspections and preventive maintenance to minimise leaks.
- Weekly monitoring of guest room water use and daily monitoring of pool water meters.
- Automated night-time irrigation and use of low-water Mediterranean plants.
Targets 2026-2027: Maintain fresh water intensity below 200 ltr/BN, optimize irrigation based on weather data, maintain water-saving equipment and promote employee and guest awareness.
To further improve water efficiency, we will continue monitoring consumption, optimise irrigation, maintain water-saving equipment, promote employee and guest awareness, and explore additional sustainable solutions.
Waste
Environmental awareness and social responsibility are increasingly important values for our guests. Implementing sustainable practices is a necessity, and also an opportunity to differentiate ourselves from the competition and attract an increasingly demanding clientele. In this context, recycling plays a fundamental role as a strategy to reduce our environmental impact. Through proper waste management, we can minimize waste, decrease the consumption of natural resources, and contribute to the fight against climate change.
Measures Taken
- Sensitizethe guests to separate waste. Recycling stations are placed strategically
around the resort areas, and in most of the rooms. - Reduce food waste by 5%.
- Join the TO GOOD TO GO platform
- We introduced the purchase of biodegradable bags to replace the plastic bags used in our spa, restaurants, etc.
- Elimination of plastic bottles in bars , restaurants and guest rooms
- Monthly monitoring of garbage collection
- New labels to raise guest awareness in apartments and restaurants.
- Use of bulk products
- Contract with authorized agents
- Ongoing staff training
Continuous Improvement
Our objectives are to further improve recycling performance, reduce general waste, minimise single-use plastics, strengthen food waste prevention, and increase employee and guest awareness. Sunwing Makrigialos Beach remain committed to protecting Crete’s natural resources and promoting responsible and sustainable tourism while maintaining high standards of guest comfort and service quality.
Labour & Human Rights
At OBC Crete, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace where human rights are protected and all employees are treated with dignity and fairness. We operate in accordance with national labour legislation, collective agreements, and internationally recognised human rights principles.
Labour & Human Rights
At OBC Crete, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace where human rights are protected and all employees are treated with dignity and fairness. We operate in accordance with national labour legislation, collective agreements, and internationally recognised human rights principles.
Our Commitments
- Provide fair employment conditions and equal opportunities for all employees.
- Maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
- Promote diversity, inclusion, and respect, free from discrimination or harassment.
- Support employee wellbeing, teamwork, and open communication.
- Invest in employee training, professional development, and health & safety awareness.
- Support local employment and work with responsible local suppliers and partners.
The hotel monitors workforce composition, gender balance, local employment, and diversity as part of its sustainability and social responsibility program.
Continuous Improvement
Our objectives are to:
- Maintain a safe and inclusive workplace.
- Strengthen local employment and community support.
- Provide ongoing employee training and development.
- Enhance employee engagement and communication.
- Promote diversity, equal opportunities, and respect for human rights.
- Ensure continuous compliance with labour legislation and ethical employment practices.
OBC Crete Beach remain committed to creating a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and empowered while contributing positively to the local community and sustainable tourism in Crete.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
NLTG´s supplier code of Ethics and Conduct sets out the minimum standards of business behaviour expected of Suppliers, who must have processes in place to moni - tor and maintain these standards, including within their own supply chains. Suppliers must comply with child protection laws, including United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the international Labour Organization Convention Numbers 138 and 182. Suppliers must also comply with local laws regarding the mini mum age of employees and all legal requirements for the work of authorised young workers, particularly those relating to hours, wages and safe working conditions. NLTG Supplier Code of Conduct.
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (EVENTS AND DONATIONS)
- Save the children
- World Animal Protection: We protect all kind of animals that we have near by, as a babies or adults animals like puppy's and baby cats. There is a cooperation with local animal friendly assosiation that collect there, all stray animals and offer them a standard living enviromment. We also protect sea turtle. For some year and on, sea turtle has found beach along the hotel a perfect place to born their's eggs. As soon as, we found out that see turtle has left the eggs there, we mark and protect the point, sea turte nest area, and path way to the sea, avoiting to place any items near by. During incubation time we are avointing lighting the place in evening time. When the babies come up, we help them with their's furure trip in the sea. We cooperate with local assosiation Sitia loggerhead sea turtle protection volunteers.
CONTACT US:
Director of Operations / Resort Manager: Nikos Tsabanakis nikos.tsabanakis@sunwing.net
Sustainability Manager: Mina Zahariou Mina.zahariou@sunwing.net
Address: Makrigialos, Crete Greece 72055.
Phone: 00302843064300
“Αν επιθυμείτε να λάβετε αντίγραφο της αναφοράς μας Βιωσιμότητας στα Ελληνικά, μπορείτε να μας το ζητήσετε ηλεκτρονικά στο:
makrigialos@sunwing.net
Θα χαρούμε να σας εξυπηρετήσουμε!”
