GRIFID HOTELS — OUR COMMITMENT

We at GRIFID Hotels realize the importance of the environment and its preservation for the existence and development of our business and for future generations. We as Holiday service providers are pursuing a policy that protects and preserves resources and strives to manage our business in a way that reduces the harmful impact of our operations on the environment by using good practices and modern methods in our work. We at GRIFID Hotels engage all our employees in our efforts to operate a sustainable and green business. We work in several key directions that help us in our goal of running hotels that along with their successful performance also contribute to protecting the environment.

Our main areas of work are:

• ENVIRONMENT
  • Conservation of natural resources through saving and management of energy and water consumption
  • Minimizing waste and carbon dioxide emissions
  • Use of alternative renewable energy sources - e.g. solar panels
  • Raising awareness among employees and customers for the importance of sustainability and the impact of travel on the environment
• LOCAL CULTURE
  • Our operational activity is closely related to the destination and the local culture - employees, partners, and community. We offer our guests an insight into the local culture, heritage, and environment and the experiences associated with them
  • We are a Bulgarian hotel group and have established lasting ties with local producers, communities, and partners. This allows us to conduct an effective policy by involving staff, local society, and guests in the events and initiatives we organize to protect the environment
  • We are actively working with all employees to make everyone aware of and contribute to the goals that our management has set for the sustainable development of our business
  • We take care of the working conditions and the welfare of our employees
• RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
  • We are aware of and respect the laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and the reduction of the negative impact of our operational activities on nature
  • All our actions towards sustainable development are traceable and registered

GRIFID HOTELS - WHO ARE WE

GRIFID Hotels is a Bulgarian hospitality brand. Our first hotel was opened in 2001 and the trademark was established in 2006. The group operates seven 4-star and one 3-star hotels located in Golden Sands Resort near the city of Varna.

OUR HOTELS

GRIFID HOTELS – WE PRACTISE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

We at GRIFID Hotels engage all our employees in our efforts to lead a sustainable and "green" business. We observe strictly all the norms of the Bulgarian and European legislation as regards the protection of the environment, working conditions and human rights, health, financial norms, and requirements.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS — MAY 24 2024 - APRIL 25 2025

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION POLICY

It is the shared commitment of the management and owner of GRIFID Hotels to ensure sustainable protection of the environment during the management of the holiday product. What are the main goals of our Environmental Policy:

• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the field of environmental protection
• To educate staff about environmental protection so that employees understand the role they play in meeting our goals
• Invite our guests to support our efforts to reduce waste in the environment

During the reporting period, GRIFID Hotels continued to purposefully implement its sustainable development program. Based on the goals set for 2023, a number of initiatives were realized, focusing on environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. Some of the activities we have done:

• Rented parking spaces outside the Golden Sands complex to reduce car traffic and emissions inside the complex
• Introduced 2 charging stations on the territory of GRIFID Hotels for electric cars
• Submitted waste like batteries, TVs, and air conditioners to authorized companies
• Increased the number of eco-friendly cleaning products used in hotel operations
• Planted drought tolerant plants using less water for irrigation
• Installed a water dispenser in the hotel lobby and purchased metal reusable bottles to reduce single-use plastics
• Replaced all existing light bulbs in 27 designated family rooms with LED bulbs
• Conducted an annual energy management system check (e.g. energy key fob)
• Expanded menus with more vegetarian options
• Signed a contract with a waste disposal and reuse company
• Integrated a new, modern, and personalized mobile app, GRIFID Hotels (iOS & Android) to replace paper reservation tickets and provide environmental information
• Implemented an electronic kiosk accessible to all guests to eliminate paper information cards
• Successfully introduced the "Green Buddy" project, developed in partnership with the Association for the Support of People with Intellectual Disabilities – RIVIERA, Varna
• Created the GREEN BUDDIES program, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artists, and charitable organizations to display and sell their products in the hotel
• Participated in the "Against the Current" campaign focused on environmental strategy and social support
• Organized a yoga session and collaborative workshop with the association for people with intellectual disabilities to raise awareness about pollution and environmental protection
• Received recognition at the end of 2024 in the "Social Innovations for Social Inclusion" category at the Annual National Awards of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for the "Against the Current" project

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT POLICY

This is the shared commitment of the management and the owner of GRIFID Hotels to ensure that all our employees are provided with the best possible working conditions at all times.

Key achievements

• Joined government programs to support employees in sectors with a significant decline in activity
• Invested in reconstruction and modernization of Mercury Holiday Base as employee dormitory with renovated interiors and improved amenities
• Maintained departmental transport for employees and route schedules to less economically developed regions
• Committed to covering transport costs for candidates from less developed regions outside the country
• Expanded programs for dual education and training with additional schools and Erasmus internships
• Signed contracts facilitating foreign staff access on foot to workplaces
• Conducted staff training on protection of local flora and fauna and organized beach cleaning campaigns
• Reinforced a policy for equal treatment of staff regardless of gender, age, religion, ethnicity, or disability
• Maintained over 50% employment from minority and vulnerable groups
• Annual fair wage adjustments in line with inflation and cost of living
• Hired additional labor force from abroad (Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia)
• Integrated Typsy online training platform and provided sustainability and inclusivity courses (EarthCheck) for staff and management

As a result of these activities, we achieved increased employment from minority groups, more jobs across our companies, integrated student training programs, enhanced training and development, and improved onboarding through Typsy. We remain committed to expanding accessibility to work for persons from disadvantaged regions and to training at Grifid Academy for permanently unemployed people.

COMMUNITY POLICY

This is the shared commitment of the management and owners of GRIFID Hotels to pay attention to how its operations affect the local residential and business community.

Through our Community policy, we set the following goals:

• To prove that we protect the local community
• To support the local economy
• To prioritize the recruitment of local staff to promote the development of the societies in which the company is present
• To preserve the local culture and traditions

Highlights of community activity include collaboration with the Riviera Center (Martenitsi initiative), participation in Forest Week with Golden Sands Nature Park, and integration of the GRIFID Hotels App to provide guests with information on local cultural events, attractions, and an interactive map of Golden Sands and Varna. The app also promotes excursions and local providers to encourage authentic experiences and support the local economy.