Empiria Group Releases Its 2025 Impact Report

Empiria Group, the privately owned hospitality group operating luxury boutique hotels and villas across Greece, has just released its third annual 2025 Impact Report, documenting another year of measurable progress across its social, environmental and cultural commitment. Empiria Group continues to embed responsible hospitality across every aspect of its business, from reducing resource consumption and supporting local communities to investing in employee well-being and safeguarding Greece’s cultural heritage. The 2025 Impact Report highlights Empiria Group’s tangible progress across its three impact pillars, social, environmental, and cultural, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and reflects a philosophy that places long-term stewardship alongside exceptional guest experiences. Throughout the year, Empiria Group welcomed more than 70,000 guests across their eight properties in Santorini, Paros and the Peloponnese while thoughtfully expanding with a new destination, guided by a commitment to conscious growth and meaningful partnerships.

“At Empiria Group, hospitality is ultimately about people and place. Every decision we make considers not only the experience we create for our guests today but also the legacy we leave for our communities, our culture, and future generations. This report reflects our ongoing commitment to grow thoughtfully, remain accountable, and continue learning along the way” say co-founders Antonis Eliopoulos and Kalia Konstantinidou.

Supporting People
Recognizing that meaningful hospitality begins with its people, Empiria Group continued to invest in employee well-being, development, and workplace culture throughout 2025. Employee engagement remained strong, with 82% of team members saying they felt part of a team and 75% believing their work was valued. Employees represented more than 35 nationalities across the Group. Alongside expanded professional training programs, leadership workshops, and open feedback initiatives, 42% of seasonal staff expressed their intention to return for the following season – a notable indicator within the hospitality industry.

Investing in Local Communities
Throughout the year, Empiria Group continued to support organizations and initiatives that strengthen the communities where it operates. Examples include their collaboration and support with the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) through programs and wildlife rescue initiatives. Additionally, donations and contributions to the local community include a donation to help fund a new ambulance for Milos Health Center, contributions to ‘’Friends of the Child’, Desmos through the ‘You Eat, We Give’ Marriott campaign and The Love Van organisation. 

In 2025 Empiria Group also launched the ‘Kinship’ initiative which focuses on family relationships and authentic immersion at the destination through shared discovery. Rooted in culture and creativity, the program is developed in collaboration with local artisans, cultural practitioners, producers and guides that showcase the local crafts and traditions. By empowering women, educational initiatives, supporting local celebrations, and cultural traditions, including the Feast of Panagia and the village kindergarten, Empiria Group continues to actively support its communities and reaffirm its belief that meaningful hospitality begins with caring for its people and place.

Preserving Greek Culture
As custodians of some of Greece’s most culturally significant destinations, Empiria Group continues to champion initiatives that preserve and celebrate the country’s living heritage. From supporting major Cycladic cultural institutions to collaborating with organizations dedicated to traditional craftsmanship and local knowledge, the Group views culture as an essential pillar of contemporary luxury hospitality, connecting guests more meaningfully with the destinations they visit.

Highlights include:

● Annual contribution to The Cycladic Identity which supports Cycladic heritage and local communities

● Continued support, donation and active involvement in the Cycladic launch of ‘Kykladitisses: Untold Stories of Women of the Cyclades’ – the first pan-Cycladic exhibition presented in Santorini in collaboration with the Museum of Cycladic Art in summer 2025

● Contribution and participation in the BCK Clay Commons “Bridging Heritage, Innovation, and Community” initiative, part of the Biennale of Contemporary Keramics supporting emerging talent and local crafts

● Donation for the second Paros Classical Music Festival, a three-day multidisciplinary festival promoting the island’s heritage, music education and cultural tourism. Held at the forecourt of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, the festival featured a Maria Callas Opera Gala and a chamber music recital with leading Greek soloists, organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture with the Municipality of Paros and “Hellenic Culture in the 21st Century,”.

● Other environmental associations (‘Alkyoni’ Wildlife Protection and Care Association, CPF Butterflies Nature Reserve in Paros etc) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the communities they operate.

Reducing Environmental Impact
Across its portfolio, Empiria Group is deeply committed to operating and growing sustainably, particularly as the environmental pressures on the Greek islands are becoming increasingly visible. In 2025, the Group’s environmental efforts were shaped around four key areas including: sourcing local produce, minimizing waste, reducing water use and saving energy.

Today, 9 out of 10 food and beverage products served across its Santorini and Paros hotels are sourced from Greek suppliers, strengthening local supply chains and celebrating regional producers and ingredients. In 2025, Empiria launched ‘Symphony of Flavors’ an exclusive series of culinary experiences hosted across their signature restaurants, celebrating seasonality and local gastronomic heritage.

In 2025, the Group achieved a 75.6% reduction in plastic water bottle use and reduced overall energy consumption by 7.81% from 2022. Their goal is to reach a 15% reduction in energy use and completely eliminate plastic bottles by 2030. In June 2025, the Group also launched The Villas at Parīlio, introducing 13 new villas and suites, using local materials (stone, wood, stonewashed concrete) reflecting the local architecture and landscape. Landscaping is also carefully designed with native species, ensuring minimal human intervention and also less water resources. A rainwater tank and grey water collection system is installed for use in the gardens. 

Leading the Conversation
Beyond its own operations, Empiria Group increasingly contributes to broader industry conversations on regenerative tourism and responsible hospitality.

Throughout the year, Empiria Group Co-Founder and Group Executive Officer Kalia Konstantinidou participated in international conferences, including the Virtuoso Symposium, Sustainable Finance Conference, Greece Talks,the Hellenic Impact Investing Conference, as well as the Cyprus Hotels Association event in Larnaca, YHS EHL in Lausanne and Expedia Travelstaytion in Athens sharing perspectives on the future of conscious luxury travel and the
evolving role of hospitality in driving positive impact. 

Alongside these engagements, Founder & President Antonis Eliopoulos further reinforced the Group’s commitment to knowledge sharing through his guest lecture at the University of West Attica’s Executive MBA in Hotel Management programme, presenting Empiria Group’s sustainability journey and vision for responsible hospitality to the next generation of industry leaders.

As Empiria Group continues to evolve its portfolio, the Impact Report reflects an ongoing commitment to measuring progress, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that growth remains firmly rooted in respect for people, place, and culture. In the past year, the group has improved their overall impact framework and reporting methodology, remaining committed to refining their processes and approach, ensuring every action is carefully planned out and
aligned with their core values and vision for the future.

The full 2025 Impact Report is available for download here.