Certification EN ISO 14001-2004 for Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel

Certificate of Registration ISO 14001:2004

For a hotel that proclaims itself to be environmentally friendly, only having adopted practices and actions during its operation to protect the environment, is not enough. To be effective, it must be conducted within a structured management system, integrated in the overall activity of its administration.
The Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel settled Environmental Management System (EMS) ISO 14001 in order to:
-To achieve compliance with the Applicable Company for this Legislation
-To minimize negative environmental impacts from Operations
-To Improve constantly the techniques used
-To reduce energy consumption
-To reduce the consumption of natural resources

This EMS system includes:
-A strategic planning of the Environmental Management
-The developing of the required documentation (Procedures and Guidelines Manual for Environmental Management, etc.) considering the   results of an initial environmental analysis and compliance with the requirements of Standard ISO 14001,
-The implementation of Environmental Management System
-The preparation of an Environmental Plan which sets out the objectives of the company in relation to the environment,
-The inspections in order to identify points of non-compliance
-The corrective actions and adjustments in relation to the Environmental Management System
-The staff training in Environmental Management System

The benefits arising from the adoption of an Environmental Management System are divided into two categories:
(a) The benefits for the company:
- Operating cost savings through saving resources spent,
- Obtaining competitive advantage as the consequent increase in Sales
- Education and Awareness of Human Resources in protecting the environment
- Improving the organization and operation of the hotel on environmental issues
- saving Energy
- Saving Natural Resources

(b) The benefits for the society and the environment.

Classification Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel and cooperation with Green Hotels

   

GreenHotels is the first network of Greek Eco Hotels. By the term “Eco Hotels” we refer to those hotels which are committed to environmental management and aim at:     

  • Water saving
  • Waste reduction
  • Establishing Recycling Policies
  • Minimizing their Energy Footprint (ie the amount of carbon dioxide which is emitted at the atmosphere by everyday activities that require energy consumption)
  • Offering Biological and Local products to their guests
  • Using Renewable Energy Sources
  • Building an Environmental Culture and communicating it to staff and guests

Every day, more and more hotels in Greece are embracing green tourism and are establishing an environmental management system. We, the GreenHotels team, are giving you the opportunity to track the Eco Hotels in your favorite destinations of Greece, through our constantly updated database. The hotels classification has been based on selected criteria and management policies that have been proposed by the International Tourism Partnership, ITP, which works to promote the highest possible standards of environmental and social management and responsible business practices within the tourism industry.                  

We, the GreenHotels team, we are COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY and INNOVATION.                  

* Greenhotels is not a certification or award

Certification and awarding of the Q Quality Label to the Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel of Alonissos in Greece.

On November 17th 2011, Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel was the first Hotel in Alonissos to be qualified with the Q Label. “ The Quality Certification for Tourism” and the Q Label come to crown the quality services Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel offers in the field of tourism. The Q Label reflects the top level of the services Ikion Eco offers,as it functions according to the advanced criteria of Swiss tourism, which are the highest in Europe. “The Quality Certification for Tourism” and the Q Label are represented in Greece by Mr. Giannis Agglos. Consultant on tourism issues, former EOT Secretary General. The realization of the program has been appointed to I-LEARN.
For “The Quality Certification for Tourism” and the Q Quality Label, procedures in accordance to the international standards set by the Accredited Certification Institution, were followed.
Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel certification aims to reassure the confidence in the quality of the services provided and to the broadening of the knowledge on different approaches in quality management. Furthermore, it aims to create especially designed services addressing to specialized types of visitors.
Through the certification above, the complete and continuous quality of the services provided by Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel to its clients worldwide is proved.
By the Q quality Label Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel promises to its clients and partners, that the provision of services are characterized by the highest quality before and after the sale. In being awarded with the “Quality Certification for Tourism” and the Q quality Label for Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel , many factors such as the fully trained personnel, the organized processes within the company departments and the communication management of the company to its customers, played important role.
The Management and personnel of Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel believe that in a world with rising competition the continuous application of quality management systems will contribute to the fulfillment of the company aims, in relation to the continual improvement of its services and its customers’ continual satisfaction.
Quality is the foundation of the services sector for Ikion Eco Boutique Hotel and the Q label is a major asset for the company, which compensates its continuous effort to provide customers with services of the highest quality.
 

 

How to get to Alonissos

By boat
   There are ferries to and from Alonissos Agios Konstantinos (4h30 ‘). There are also routes from Kimi (2h15′) and Volos (4h30′)

With Dolphin
   Dolphins and Flying Cat Alonissos link to Volos and Agios Konstantinos (2h45 ‘). Also, these routes syndeeoun Alonissos to Skopelos (30′) Skiathos (1h15 ‘), and Language (50′).

By plane
    It is also possible to travel to Skiathos by plane and then from Skiathos to get to Alonissos by hydrofoil or ferry.

On-line tickets boats and dolphins
For online reservations and ticketing services visit one of the following links:

www.openseas.gr (for all ports except Kymi)

For more information, including prices and timetables, for Kymi please visit the site of the “Skyros Shipping Company”, which can be found at www.sne.gr

On-line airline tickets and flights
For schedules and online booking air tickets to visit the links below:

        

        

Alonissos Holiday Villas

We supply a selection of beautifully appointed Greek islands holiday villas, from secluded waterfront cottages to large luxurious villas with swimming pool. All have full service for linen, cleaning and pool maintenance, and options include TV, music and air-conditioning to sleep comfortably through the hot summer nights.

More info at : http://www.alonisos.net/

Ferry, Catamaran and Hydrofoil Tickets

One of the problems you face with the sea crossing to Alonissos is the need for tickets on the ferry, Catamaran or Flying Dolphin.  Due to the potential for delays it was best not to book tickets in advance as they were non-transferable and you could lose your money.  However things have changed and tickets are now transferable and can be made into open tickets.  There are certain conditions and restrictions that apply, so check at the local booking agent.You can now book tickets online and collect them at a designated booking agent at the port from which you are travelling.  Except around holiday dates there is not normally a problem with seat availability and we find that booking tickets on the day means you can often leave your luggage in the agents office if you want to wander off to shop or eat before the departure.  However in the tourist high season it is prudent to have tickets booked early, especially if you are leaving the island and flying back to the UK on the same day.  Book your return tickets in Patitiri shortly after you arrive as it is easier to sort out problems with weather related delays with the same booking agent who will also know what departures are available.
There are two problems that have cropped up in recent years on Alonissos in the summer months:

 
Block booking during the summer by holiday company agents has meant that independent travellers have been told they cannot have tickets and to come back 1 – 2 days before the departure date with no guarantee of a ticket. 

Independent travellers from Alonissos to Skiathos have been refused tickets to Skiathos and told that they would have to buy tickets to Volos or Agios Konstantinos which means that they are paying twice the price for the ticket.

 

Leisure Activities

The ecosystem in the north side of the island is in good condition. The Mediteranean Monk Seal (Monachus-Monachus) is common around the island, and in 1992 the Alonissos Marine Park was created to protect these seals and other animals.

Popular with sail boat aficionados, Alonissos is the ideal destination for those who prefer roaming the Aegean with their own – or rented – boat. The marinas at Patitiri and Steni Vala offer all amenities to boats and the innumerable bays of the Alonissos and surrounding islands offer seclusion, privacy and warm, green waters. The winds in this part of the Aegean are always milder than in the Cyclades and this adds to the area’s popularity as a sailing destination.

Hiking, snorkelling, swimming and nature watching is also popular in Alonissos, as the unspoiled nature hosts rare species of fauna and flora.

Scuba diving is on the rise in Alonissos, as the marine park hides caves, sunken ships, ruins and a world of sea life. Special permit is required for scuba diving, obtainable from the port authorities at Patitiri, as parts of the marine park are off limits to scuba divers due to research and wildlife preservation programmes. More info on:

http://www.alonissos.biz/activities.htm

Alonissos Health & Fitness
Alonissos Museum
Greek Island Thespians Drama Group
Painting with Chris Hughes
Poseidon Diving
Yoga & Massage in Alonissos

In 1995 the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy was established on the island of Alonissos, under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The director, George Vithoulkas, was recently awarded, for his outstanding contribution to Classical Homeopathy, the Right Livelihood Award – known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize”,- at the Swedish Parliament in 1996. He runs courses in Classical Homeopathy at the Academy for medical doctors, medical students, and health practitioners. It is the aim of the Academy to educate these students to the highest standard possible, in order to become classical homeopaths according to the principles of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.

There are various groups attending the four-year course: an International, a German, Italian, Mexican, and Russian an Italian group. The groups come to the island for a two week session each time. Once a year Mr. Vithoulkas also gives a five-day seminar on the island for experienced homeopaths from all over the world. Throughout the year he gives seminars in different countries. The Academy has an extensive homeopathic library for the students use. For the futurre, Mr. Vithoulkas’ teaching will be shown on video in 2000 at the International Academy and also in different countries. This video project is already in operation in Germany, and shortly will commence in the U.S.A., and Holland.

Greek Food

The Mediterranean diet is known to be one of the healthiest in the world although the exception is breakfast in Greece which tends to be five cigarettes and two cups of very strong coffee!!One of the great delights of visiting Greece is to eat the local food and try the regional dishes.  The over-riding problem facing most English speakers reading a Greek menu is that half the menu is full of spelling mistakes and most of the descriptions of the dishes are sufficiently obscure as to make it almost impossible to know what you are eating.  This problem was brought home to us in an ouzeri on Alonissos.  When asked whether they had wild greens (horta) the lady serving us replied “Yes, we have dandelions”.

Obviously if you can read a bit of Greek is helps because you can get the real name of the dish and a proper description of the food.  However, if you have to suffer the English section of the menu we have put together a listing of the more unusual dishes that always prompt the question to the waiter “Well, what exactly is it?”

You can find more on http://alonnisos.atspace.com (English)

For Reviews you can trust on : http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g189498-Alonissos_Sporades.html

General Travel Information

The island of Alonissos is not the easiest place to access although is much better connected by sea than many of the islands of the Cyclades and Dodecanese.  Due to the absence of an airport the final part of the journey will be a sea crossing.  Depending whether the winter or summer schedules are in force you will find a difference in the number of available flights and sailings.During the winter month’s independent travel to Alonissos means a scheduled flight to Athens followed by an internal flight to Skiathos, 4½ – 5 hour train or coach journey to Volos or a 2½ hour coach journey to Agios Konstantinos.  There are ferries and hydrofoils to Alonissos from both Volos and Agios Konstantinos although you should make provision for an overnight stop if there are adverse weather conditions.  In the summer months there are charter flights from London and UK regional airports to Athens, Skiathos and Volos in addition to the scheduled flights to Athens.

Hellenic Seaways are the major players for sea travel to Alonissos via their Hellas Flying Dolphin hydrofoils and ferries. Hellas Flying Dolphin hydrofoils make the trip from Agios Konstantinos to Alonissos in around 2¾ hours.  In 2002 GA Ferries put Jet Ferry 1 on the Sporades run to Alonissos from when Hellas Flying Dolphin’s ferries withdrew their service.  The cost is the same as the dolphin, however the ferry is more comfortable but takes almost twice as long.  Your preference will depend on whether you were built for comfort or speed.

Hellas Flying Dolphin hydrofoils make the trip from Volos to Alonissos and the journey time is almost the same as from Agios Konstantinos.  In 2004 a company called Vospo started running hydrofoils from Volos to Alonissos in a yellow livery similar to the old Ceres hydrofoil colours.  Hellas Flying Dolphin’s run a ferry service from Volos to Alonissos which takes around 5 hours journey time.

In some years a Hellas Flying Dolphin catamaran service links Alonissos with Thessaloniki and this provides an alternative means of access to the island.  Information on taxi and bus travel to and from Athens can be obtained from our “Travel Alonissos” menu.

Public Transport on Alonissos

The bus service starts early June with a restricted service from Patitiri to the Old Village and Steni Vala in the morning and then in the evening after siesta  The timetable changes again in July and a full service throughout the day operates in August and September.  A restricted service comes into operation again in September and around the end of September the bus service stops.  Tickets are purchased on the bus from the bus driver and try to have change for him if at all possible.  The timetable is updating year by year and published on the bus stations.  The bus now stops opposite the Alkyon Hotel and the taxi rank on the harbour.