Sea turtles continue to rank among the world's most endangered marine species, facing increasing pressures from coastal development, light pollution, climate change, and marine debris.

Since 2016, the TUI Turtle Aid program has helped protect more than 2.8 million sea turtle hatchlings worldwide. The new Turtle-Friendly Business Certification recognizes hotels that are committed to protecting nesting beaches and reducing their environmental footprint. In the Mediterranean in particular, where systematic conservation actions for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) have been implemented, populations appear to be recovering. The TUI Turtle Aid Greece program was carried out in Crete by the TUI Care Foundation in partnership with ARCHELON, with the aim of protecting sea turtles and their habitats while encouraging the tourism sector to actively participate in conservation efforts.

As part of the initiative, eight hotels in Crete received the “Turtle-Friendly” certification:

• Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel, Adelianos Kampos, Rethymno
• Caldera Beach Hotel, Gerani, Chania
• Caldera Creta Paradise Resort, Gerani, Chania
• Euphoria Resort, Kolymbari, Chania
• Geraniotis Hotel & Resort, Platanias, Chania
• Grecotel Caramel Resort, Adelianos Kampos, Rethymno
• Grecotel Creta Palace Resort, Missiria, Rethymno
• Mike Hotels & Apartments, Maleme, Chania

The certification acknowledges their commitment to protecting sea turtle nesting beaches and reducing the impact of tourism activities on coastal habitats.

The program demonstrates how tourism, conservation efforts, and the active participation of local communities can work together to protect marine biodiversity.

ARCHELON expresses its great satisfaction with the recognition of these eight hotel establishments in Crete. The “Turtle-Friendly” certification began as a pilot initiative within the framework of the TUI Turtle Aid Greece project, and the successful certification of all participating hotels confirms that sea turtle conservation can be effectively integrated into tourism operations. This achievement represents an important milestone for the project and provides a strong foundation for the further development of similar initiatives in the future.