Responsible Tourism

AITO Responsible Tourism Award

Pure Crete has been awarded Star Status for Responsible Tourism. This reflects our commitment to responsible tourism and ecotourism. Pure Crete restores stone-built Cretan houses and villas and helps to protect endangered species in Crete. This means that our clients can enjoy the rural tranquillity of traditional houses safe in the knowledge that their holidays help to conserve Crete’s natural and physical environment.

Houses are owned by local families so that the economic benefits go to local communities who engage in restoration and environmental work. We encourage recycling and the local production of organic foods. We sponsor a loggerhead turtle hatchery, contribute to the protection of the bearded vulture and subsidise the installation of solar energy in the houses we rent.

In the UK we use recycled paper, 100% renewable electricity (from wind, sea and solar) and encourage staff to bring forward initiatives to promote sustainability. In Crete we help to finance the installation of solar panels in the houses we rent. We have run wildflower and walking holidays in Crete for 10 years. Our customer loyalty is linked to our environmental approach as well as the enjoyment of a holiday in Crete.

Pure Crete offers properties in Megala Chorafia, Stilos, Provarma, Malaxa and along the coast in Armeni, Kalami, Alikambos and Lake Kournas. On the south coast we have houses above Frangokastello in Patsianos and Kapsodassos. We provide these in combination with flights from the UK, car hire and travel insurance.

In all these locations we encourage the restoration of disused Cretan houses and the use of traditional building methods.We are not involved in modern building or ownership but instead work in friendship with local communities to protect and enhance the environment.

All our team in Crete live there permanently so enabling us to sponsor recycling and the use of solar energy. As conservation of the local culture and environment is central to Pure Crete we are pleased to have been a founder member of Green Flag International - now Green Globe - an organisation set up to promote environmentally responsible tourism within the travel industry.

Carbon Offset your holiday

The environment and ecotourism is central to Pure Crete. We restore locally owned village houses, support the installation of solar panels and have helped to protect endangered species such as the loggerhead turtle and bearded vulture in Crete. In the UK we use recycled paper, renewable energy and practice energy efficiency.

Now we intend to enable our customers to help to offset the carbon from their flight. We will be adding a £3.50 carbon offset charge per passenger on each invoice in 2007 that clients can pay or opt out of. Tell us what you think on info@pure-crete.com

The carbon offset charge will be invested by Carbon Offset Ltd. in projects which both offset carbon emissions and support communities in the developing world such as solar fuel efficiency, power generation, planting organic food crops, biofuel etc. Pure Crete is also developing its own carbon offset schemes in Crete that will be fully accredited.

When in Crete please visit or stay at our properties at Malaxa where Demetrios Vamvounakis (Chair of Gaia) will be happy to discuss environmental initiatives in Crete.

For further information contact Dick Sisman AITO’s responsible tourism advisor at dick@dicksisman.com or visit www.ticos.co.uk The Carbon Offset Ltd website will be live in January.

We hope that you will support our carbon offset charge, our ambition of carbon neutral holidays and our other environmental initiatives in Crete to promote ecotourism.

Pure Crete specialises in all-inclusive self-catering holidays in Crete. The houses and villas described on this website are in Cretan villages set in the foothills of the White Mountains overlooking the sea.

Many have been restored from dereliction by Pure Crete in co-operation with local families using traditional building methods. Therefore, your stay contributes to the livelihood of the local community and supports the local culture. We also support the protection of endangered species in Crete. So, through our service we help to enusre that the natural and physical environment benefits from your custom.

Our Service

We provide exceptional accommodation for rental on a weekly basis at a per person price inclusive of air fare, or accommodation only as required. We also provide car hire and insurance.

Our accommodation is well equipped, in excellent condition and the price includes twice -weekly maid service and a twice - weekly linen change. Our team at Pure Crete has an in-depth knowledge of each of our properties to help you make the best choice for your stay.

With your tickets you will be sent the Pure Crete Booklet which gives detailed information to help you make the most of your time in Crete. This is in addition to the house book in Crete which provides local advice and suggestions.

When you arrive at Chania airport you will be greeted by one of our Cretan team. A welcome pack of food and wine will be waiting for you when you reach the house. A local representative will visist you the day after you arrive and will be available at other times to give you any help and advice you may need. If you have very young children we can arrange cots and babysitting facilities.

All of our representatives team live permanently in Crete and so have an intimate knowledge of the area. This is a key part of Pure Crete as our commitment to help sustain and enhance the local culture and environment is built upon close relationships and co-operation with local communities.

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Telephone 0845 070 1571

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Pure Crete,
Bolney Place,
Cowfold Road,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex
RH17 5QT

Tel: ++44 (0)845 070 1571

Fax: ++44 (0)845 070 1572