Sustainable Tourism Report

Sustainable Tourism Report

CONTENT

1. About the Report
2. Facility Introduction and Features
3. Sustainability Team
4. Sustainability Management System Policies
5. Sustainability Management System Practices
6. Reducing Environmental Impacts
7. Personnel and Work Life
8. Social Activities
9. Cultural Activities

Our hotel is committed to fulfilling the obligations of the Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program and continuously improving its sustainable management system to enhance sustainability performance. Due to the state of the sector, environmental, social, technological, economic, and cultural risks, as well as legislative changes and updates, our management system is regularly reviewed, and policies are updated when necessary.

Our "Sustainability Policies" reflect our company’s commitment to this cause. From this perspective, all our orientations will align with this intention and direction. Our goal is to integrate the principle of sustainability into our hotel’s core areas as a "way of doing business" and embed it into our corporate memory. The success and continuity of our efforts depend on broadening and strengthening a partnership that involves our employees, guests, business partners, suppliers, collaborators, and all stakeholders in our immediate surroundings.

Raising awareness among employees, providing opportunities for their involvement in the process, and contributing to development opportunities are highly valued as integral parts of our sustainability approach. In this context, our annual training plans and orientations include topics such as social rights, support for local employment, protection of natural habitats, wildlife support, local historical and touristic sites, cultural richness, ecological diversity, energy and water conservation, environmental activities, recycling systems, and orientation towards local resources. These efforts aim to disseminate the philosophy of sustainability within the organization.

Strategic support is provided to all departments to improve business outcomes through human resources management aligned with business strategies, creating and fostering a high-performance culture to add value for all stakeholders. Furthermore, awareness is aimed to be increased at all levels through both orientation training and professional-level training determined according to annual training needs.

Sustainability efforts are coordinated by Hotel Management, and our activities and performance in this area are always open to the expectations and feedback of our stakeholders.

Under the HT Hotels brand, as Verona Hotel, our rooms are equipped with the necessary amenities to ensure our guests' comfort and peace:

• Hairdryer
• Electronic key lock system
• Direct phone line in the rooms
• Standby-featured LCD-Satellite TV
• Private safe with password protection
• Central air conditioning system
• WiFi Internet
• Complimentary water
• Smoke detector connected to a central fire system
• Special noise-insulated door and window systems
• Tea and coffee set
• Special hygiene kit
• Care kit

Team Leader: Cemile Burcu KOÇ
Customer Representative: Cansu BALABAN
Technical Services Manager: İsmail KORAY
Procurement Manager: Mehmet BATUK

The sustainability team at our facility ensures the implementation of certain policies by all employees in the areas of quality, economy, management, environment, culture, human rights, health, and safety. They set targets, monitor their achievement, and strive to continuously improve business management processes. If targets are met, new ones are set; if not, the goals, policies, and practices are reviewed. This continuous improvement is the core of our efforts.

The management processes of our hotel form the basic framework for a Sustainable Management System (SMS) and establish its policies. The foundation of our management system is based on risk analysis. Risks are analyzed in areas such as environment, natural disasters, society, culture, economy, quality, human rights, health, and safety, and additional topics can be added if necessary.

After analyzing risks, we have a crisis management policy and system that determine the actions to be taken in case the risks materialize. The sustainable management system involves implementing specific policies by all employees, setting goals, monitoring their achievement, and continuously improving business management processes. If goals are met, new ones are set; if not, the goals, policies, and practices are reviewed. This continuous improvement effort is at the core of our operations.

Due to the state of the sector, environmental, social, technological, economic, and cultural risks, as well as legislative changes and updates, our management system is regularly reviewed, and policies are updated as necessary.

In line with our vision:

• To meet guest expectations at the highest level and become a leading organization in the industry,
• To instill the philosophy of our organization in all employees, ensuring continuous improvement, trust in the workplace, and exceeding guest expectations,
• To provide services in accordance with national and international regulations, with a preventive approach to food safety risks,
• To set an example for other organizations in our country and create value,
• To minimize risks that could endanger the health, safety, and job security of our guests and employees,
• To make quality measurable, continuously improve the system, and establish goals with the collaboration of employees and management,
• To foster environmental awareness among employees and leave a cleaner, healthier, and safer environment for future generations.

We believe that all our employees have the right to work in conditions that respect human dignity, in a healthy and safe environment. Employees are our most valuable assets, and ensuring their safety is our top priority. Our hotel is ready to adopt the best environmental solutions beyond legal obligations and to support initiatives that help develop and spread eco-friendly technologies while raising environmental awareness.

We strive to fulfill our social and environmental responsibilities in Istanbul, where we operate, in collaboration with our shareholders, employees, public authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders. We believe that our human resources are the most important factor in sustainable growth. We ensure that employees fully and correctly exercise their rights, treat them fairly, and commit to providing a non-discriminatory, safe, and healthy work environment.

Presentation of Cultural Heritage: Our hotel respects the intellectual property rights of the local community. Authentic elements of traditional and contemporary local culture are incorporated into our cuisine, design, and decoration.
Artifacts: Our hotel does not trade, mediate, or display historical and archaeological artifacts.
Promotion of Sustainable Local Gastronomy: Our hotel prioritizes the promotion and consumption of local products and implements innovative and creative practices to ensure sustainability in gastronomy.

To protect our planet from potential dangers, we use energy efficiently and set targets to reduce energy consumption. For this:

• We follow national and international standards, laws, and regulations to fulfill our responsibilities to nature and ensure continuous improvement in energy consumption performance.
• We set targets and include energy efficiency in our training programs to encourage employee participation.
• We collaborate with stakeholders to achieve common goals in energy management.
• We research, procure, and use energy-efficient products, equipment, and technologies.
• We document, update, review, and continuously improve our Energy Management System across all departments.
• We plan measures to address energy risks or constraints in emergencies.
• We sort waste effectively by source, group, and hazard class, and ensure its proper disposal through licensed organizations.
• We prioritize environmentally friendly and recyclable materials in our procurement processes.
• We measure our environmental performance, monitor these metrics against targets, and work to improve performance.
• We educate our employees on environmental issues and aim to increase their awareness.

In procurement, our primary goals are minimizing waste and ensuring continuity in purchasing. The material acceptance practices to be implemented include:

• Choosing reusable, deposit-based, or organic products that do not create non-recyclable waste.
• Preferring refillable or reusable products over single-use items such as cups, forks, or toiletries.
• If single-use products are necessary, monitoring their procurement, usage, and recycling closely.
• Providing staff training on reducing single-use items and recycling them appropriately.
• Gradually removing single-use items like bottled water, plastic cups, and packaged goods from rooms.
• Avoiding unnecessary packaging in procurement and prioritizing reusable glass or metal products.
• Using larger packaging for frequently used materials to reduce plastic waste.
• Focusing on eco-certified and recyclable materials, especially for paper, wood, and food products.
• Ensuring all suppliers meet food safety and hygiene standards and comply with national regulations.
• Supporting local trade by purchasing within a 100 km radius.
• Ensuring all chemical and hygiene products are CE certified and offering related training.
• Storing all procurement-related documentation digitally, including permits and safety sheets.
• Implementing strict hygiene protocols for material acceptance to ensure safety and cleanliness.

We protect the environment by preventing pollution, reducing our environmental impact, and contributing to its preservation. To achieve this:

• We comply with all legal regulations and strive to minimize our environmental footprint.
• We carefully separate waste by source, group, and hazard class.
• We use hazardous materials and chemicals only when necessary to reduce environmental harm and waste.
• We prefer materials labeled "recyclable" or "eco-friendly" to contribute to environmental conservation.
• We aim to create opportunities for reuse and minimize single-use materials.
• We store waste properly and ensure it is delivered to licensed organizations within legal time limits.
• We conserve water, energy, and natural resources and share this awareness with employees and stakeholders.
• We measure environmental performance, track it against targets, and continuously improve.
• We train employees on environmental issues to increase their awareness and sensitivity.

To protect our workplace, employees, guests, and suppliers and to ensure a safe work environment:

• We comply with all legal and regulatory obligations related to Occupational Health and Safety.
• We adopt the principle that health and safety improvements are a shared responsibility of all employees.
• We set goals to encourage participation in Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation activities at all levels.
• We aim to achieve a sustainable "Zero Workplace Accidents" goal by continuously improving our safety culture.
• We share our health and safety practices with employees and the community to set an example and lead the way.

We prioritize gender equality in our organization:

• We ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all employees without gender discrimination.
• We support women's participation in the workforce across all departments and offer equal opportunities.
• We operate with an "equal pay for equal work" policy regardless of gender.
• We provide equal opportunities for career advancement.
• We develop training policies to support women's awareness and participation.
• We maintain a work environment that balances professional and personal life.
• We do not tolerate any form of abuse, harassment, discrimination, or mistreatment of women.

Children are the guardians of our future. Recognizing and respecting their rights while protecting them from all forms of exploitation is our primary responsibility:

• We do not allow child labor in our establishments and expect the same from our partners.
• We create safe environments where children can freely express themselves and feel comfortable.
• We provide employee training to prevent and detect child abuse.
• We ensure adult supervision in all activities involving children.
• We raise awareness about children's rights through training and projects.
• We report suspicious activities related to children to hotel management and, if necessary, seek assistance from official authorities.

Legal Compliance: Our hotel is committed to complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and international agreements. We maintain an up-to-date list of these and regularly inform and train our staff. If requested, we provide all required permits, certificates, and documents, such as operating licenses, tax certificates, emergency action plans, training records, and more.

Stakeholders and Communication: Our hotel provides accurate information to all audiences in its promotions and always uses authentic visual materials. Transparency is maintained in our policies, sustainability practices, and actions, which are shared with employees and guests through our website. Periodic reports on sustainability performance are published on the website. Additionally, we have a feedback system to collect input from customers, public institutions, employees, and other stakeholders. This system is designed to encourage quick and effective feedback from all parties.

Our hotel prioritizes customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction includes feedback from the sustainability system described above. The results are analyzed, and negative feedback along with the corresponding responses are recorded, and necessary measures are taken.

Our hotel is committed to providing accessible tourism services for everyone within its capabilities and informs customers and stakeholders transparently about its accessibility level through its website. The hotel complies with all legal regulations regarding accessibility and is dedicated to continuous improvement. Efforts are made to enhance accessibility for guests with physical, visual, auditory, or other impairments. Regular maintenance and upgrades are conducted to ensure accessibility infrastructure is in place, and employees are periodically trained on related matters.

Our procurement policy includes strategies for local, environmentally friendly, fair trade, and efficient procurement. The hotel's resources are monitored, and suppliers are regularly consulted and audited regarding their sustainability certifications and practices.

Local Procurement: Priority is given to local suppliers for goods and services, provided they are of high quality and reasonably priced. The ratio of goods and services sourced locally is measured, and the supplier list is regularly updated.

Environmentally Friendly Procurement: The hotel adopts environmentally conscious purchasing policies, prioritizing products with eco-labels or certifications. Where such products are unavailable, suppliers who produce with minimal environmental impact are chosen. Certifications such as ISO14001, ISO50001, ISO14064, and ISO20400 are examples of what is sought in suppliers.

Efficient Procurement: The hotel prioritizes reusable, returnable, and recycled materials, as well as bulk purchasing to reduce transportation and greenhouse gas emissions. Packaging waste is minimized, avoiding unnecessary materials like excessive plastic, paper, or glass.

Energy Conservation: The hotel has an energy-saving policy that includes regular measurement, monitoring, and reduction of energy consumption. Activities with high energy usage are identified, and measures such as thermal insulation systems and energy-efficient appliances are implemented. Employees and stakeholders are trained and informed about energy-saving practices.

Our hotel implements water-saving measures. Aerators are installed on all showerheads. The water risk status in our region has been assessed, and water risk is included in the risk analysis. A water management plan has been developed, which includes monitoring water usage, setting reduction targets, and reporting. Our hotel’s activities do not harm aquatic life in seas, lakes, or other water bodies, but the potential risks have been evaluated, and necessary precautions have been taken. We comply with all legal requirements and regulations related to water use. The water used in our hotel is sourced legally and sustainably from the municipal supply. Total water usage per guest or overnight stay is calculated and reported. Water-saving equipment is utilized, and best practices, such as changing bed linens and towels only upon guest request, are implemented. Our staff and stakeholders are regularly informed about and encouraged to engage in water conservation. Additionally, all wastewater disposal adheres to local government regulations to ensure environmental protection.

Our hotel has a Solid Waste Management Plan that involves measuring, monitoring, reducing, reusing, recycling, and disposing of waste. Solid waste is categorized into types such as food, recyclable, hazardous, and organic. The waste is managed with an emphasis on recycling and reuse. Licensed and authorized firms collect the segregated solid waste. Food waste, along with other solid waste, is measured by type, and waste generation per guest or overnight stay is calculated and reported. High-waste activities and risk areas have been identified, and corrective measures to reduce food waste and losses are planned and implemented. Waste management complies with the "Zero Waste Regulation."

Aware of the significant influence of natural resources, the local environment, and our large family of employees on our corporate success and guest experiences, we adopt a management approach that continuously reviews our responsibilities. To protect and sustain the environment we live in, we have established an "Environmental Policy," aligning our processes accordingly, analyzing outcomes, and striving for daily improvement. To achieve this goal:

• We comply with all environmental laws, regulations, and standards, ensuring continuous improvement in our activities.
• We prioritize raising awareness among employees, guests, and the local community through social responsibility initiatives.
• We collaborate with suppliers under a win-win approach to add value through implemented management systems.
• We aim to deliver a clean and healthy environment to future generations, contributing to ecological balance.
• We promote continuous education for environmental awareness among employees, guests, and local authorities.
• We actively recycle and minimize pollution, aligning our practices with international and national standards such as ISO 14001.

Our employees are the most important resource that defines us. Recognizing this, we prioritize social benefits, performance management, rewards, training, career development, and workplace safety.

Fair Compensation: Employees are informed about their salaries, working conditions, hours, and payment schedules before starting their jobs. Compliance with labor laws, including a commitment to pay at least the minimum wage, is ensured.

Training and Career Development: All employees have equal access to training opportunities. Mandatory and professional training required by the hospitality industry, including sustainability-related sessions, are provided regularly. Employees actively contribute to improving and sustaining performance through feedback.

Our hotel ensures compliance with all relevant laws and focuses on social appropriateness by monitoring the social, physical, and environmental conditions of all operational processes. Social activities include:

• Distributing gifts and tokens on special occasions
• Ensuring timely salary payments
• Gifting employees upon marriage or childbirth
• Organizing blood donation campaigns
• Preventing child labor and forced labor
• Maintaining occupational health and safety
• Reducing environmental pollution

We are committed to preserving local culture and values through various initiatives:

• Promoting cultural awareness
• Contributing to local commerce
• Highlighting natural and historical assets
• Employing local residents

Communication with the local community involves:

• Strengthening local employment
• Raising regional awareness
• Preserving local resources and opportunities
• Protecting historical and cultural assets
• Encouraging cooperation and regional promotion