Karpaz Gate Marina Responsible Travel Policy

Karpaz Gate Marina is a unique, pioneering resort, developed with a respect for the natural beauty of the unspoilt area in mind. Immersed in the surrounding nature of the untouched Karpas Peninsula, the resort inspires a sense of freedom and relaxation. Overlooking the first international yacht marina in North Cyprus, the luxury boutique hotel combines touches of nautical flair, imaginative design, first-class service and modern facilities, all working in harmony with the resort’s deep affinity with the sea, connection to the environment and respect for the natural beauty of North Cyprus. The resort aims to open new opportunities for the local people and to progress tourism in the region and North Cyprus.

This document outlines the property’s procedures for promoting responsible and respectful tourism:

Reduction of Carbon Emissions

Karpaz Gate Marina Resort built a 300-kwh solar plant that provides 40% of its electricity consumption. We also use dedicated solar panels for hot water throughout the resort. Our choice is to have sustainable energy sources where possible and to continually work toward reducing our carbon output. The hotel understands the implications of carbon emissions and the importance of working to reduce carbon emissions due to the negative impact of global warming on our planet. The hotel and marina work with Green Point Energy Systems to ensure the property is energy-efficient and sustainable. We have in place the following commitments to reduce our footprint:

• Solar panels to provide electricity and hot water.
• Decentralised controls to ensure each key area – the hotel, marina and restaurant – can independently control their energy usage. Wireless sensors regulate temperature control and lighting based on occupancy, saving 30% of energy in the marina and 50% in the hotel. Furthermore, this extends the longevity of the lamps and equipment, leading to a reduction in the need to replace parts.
• Air conditioning which uses recycled air – only activated using the sensor system when the hotel rooms are in use.
• Water desalination plant to contribute to saving water on a water-scarce island.
• Wastewater treatment plan to reuse water for irrigation for the local landscape.
• Careful controls regarding water usage, with special attention to leak detection to encourage minimal water use.
• Sensor-fitted taps, instead of manual controls, which limits the use of water and prevents taps from being left running.
• Incentives to encourage the minimal use of non-recyclable products such as plastic and the provision of easy-to-access recycle bins in our marina area.
• A policy to re-use scrap paper for printing internal documents in our administrative offices.
• Vegetarian and vegan menus at our Hemingway’s Resto-bar.
• Dairy and meat sourced locally from an 8km radius, reducing the emissions generated from transportation.
• Vegetables and herbs harvested from the onsite nursery.
• Bread made onsite, with the remainder sourced locally.

Protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity:

Karpaz Gate Marina, located in a secluded bay on North Cyprus’s Karpas Peninsula, is acutely aware of its operational impact on the natural habitat.

Undiscovered by many tourists visiting Cyprus, Karpasia features almost 50 sandy beaches, including Golden Beach – the most remote beach in Cyprus. The pristine natural environment is home to many inland and marine species, and the tip of the peninsula is a protected natural heritage area. Historical sites include Kantara Castle, Apostolos Andreas Monastery and the ruins of Agia Trias Basilica.

To minimise the impact on the environment and to ensure the ongoing protection of the natural environment, we have undertaken the following:

• A no fishing rule in the marina to preserve the clear water and marine life. …
• An onsite nursery producing the vegetables and herbs required for our food and beverage outlets.
• The planting and growth of trees for landscaping which are typically derived from the natural vegetation in the island.
• Incentives and encouragement for guests to participate in low-impact activities such as walking, hiking and biking.
• The provision of non-motorised water activities only at our beach club, such as kayaks and SUP, to protect the environment. We do not allow jet skis to be stationed in the marina or to use our bay.

Providing local benefits from tourism, especially to the marginalised:

Karpaz Gate Marina is dedicated to boosting the livelihoods of North Cyprus residents by keeping tourism revenue within the country to enhance the local economy. Our central aim is to support the local area and community. The resort employs mainly local staff members and continues to recruit and train local people, contributing significantly to the TRNC’s economy. Karpaz Gate Marina Resort also backs local youth volleyball teams and fosters close links throughout the community.

Our steps to ensure tourism benefits the local communities include:

• Karpaz Gate Marina is an independently owned marina, hotel, restaurant, beach club and spa which provides opportunities for employment of local people:
  • 90% of the workforce are locals or from Cyprus.
  • The combined facets of the business enable the hotel and restaurant to operate all year round, minimising the seasonal nature of employment often faced by tourism workers.
  • We pay new and inexperienced team members the minimum wage. Wages increase with experience.
  • In a relatively conservative community, we promote women’s employment and provide a safe and respectful environment to do so.
  • We provide sponsorship for the local female and male youth volleyball teams. Encouraging young people to be part of team sports empowers them to see opportunities through sports, benefiting the wider local community.
  • The hotel has an onsite training room to facilitate the vocational training of local people to equip them with the skills required to work in roles in the hotel, restaurant and beach club.
  • There is an employee gym, free for the employee’s usage during their free time, to encourage them to keep a healthy body as well as a healthy mind.
• Local sourcing of food and drink provisions and operating supplies and equipment:
  • Karpaz Gate Marina’s label wine is sourced from a local vineyard located in Girne, North Cyprus.
  • Vegetables, dairy products (milk, eggs, yoghurt and cheese), along with fish and meat, are sourced locally.
  • We source our hotel equipment locally where possible, for example our industrial kitchen supplies from Nicosia.
• Our restaurant serves traditional Turkish Cypriot cuisine; our ethos is to provide authentic cuisine from the North Cyprus region. Our food is procured from local sources or grown on-site in our nurseries.
• We offer optional tours to local sites, using local guides that include local restaurants and visits to local cultural sites. The gourmet tour includes a visit to a local vineyard and culture house/museum, which includes a traditional meal. Thus, we are educating our guests on the traditions and customs of North Cyprus.