The Chedi Luštica Bay prioritises offering 100% of job opportunities to the local community. Only when local candidates are unavailable are positions opened to task force employees from abroad or other properties. This approach ensures that the hotel significantly contributes to the local economy and provides employment opportunities to the community.
The hotel maintains a green purchasing policy, with 65% of its products sourced locally. This commitment not only supports local businesses but also reduces the environmental impact associated with importing goods.
Since 2023, The Chedi has partnered with Pony Art Garden, a local farm, to produce handmade turn-down amenities. This initiative has resulted in the purchase of approximately 10,000 items in 2023 alone. By supporting Pony Art Garden, the hotel not only aids their financial stability but also helps them meet luxury hotel standards, reducing the need for imported goods and fostering local talent and production.
The Chedi Luštica Bay invites guests to participate in the "Giving Bag" initiative, which allows them to contribute to the local community during their stay. Guests can place items they no longer need in designated bags provided in their rooms. These donations are then distributed by the Red Cross of Montenegro to benefit local families in need. This initiative underscores the hotel's commitment to social responsibility and community support.
The Chedi offers protected job opportunities to aid in the reintegration of individuals into the workforce. The hotel also collaborates with the UNHCR to employ political refugees, providing them with stable employment and support. Additionally, The Chedi has long-standing partnerships with local schools to offer students practical experience in the hospitality and tourism industry through various programs, including internships. This focus on education and employment aligns with efforts to reduce poverty by providing stable jobs and career development opportunities.
In collaboration with Zero Waste Montenegro and Business Development Cetinje, the hotel launched the BokaNova initiative. This project focuses on recycling glass bottles, giving them a new life and purpose instead of sending them to landfills. The first recipients of these sanitised bottles are local wineries such as Vinarija Jankovic in Drušici, Tivat, and Medigovici, where around 3,000 bottles were delivered for the harvest season. BokaNova represents a significant step toward a circular economy, supporting local producers and reducing waste.
Since 2022, The Chedi has implemented an Eco Pure Water solution system. This ongoing initiative has significantly reduced single-use plastic bottles by 80,000 in 2022 and 60,000 in 2023.
To further reduce plastic waste, The Chedi replaced miniature shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, and body lotion bottles with amenities in wall-mounted dispensers. This initiative, started in 2022, has reduced single-use plastic bottles by 40,000 in 2022 and 30,000 in 2023. Additionally, the hotel replaced plastic room amenities such as combs, shavers, vanity sets, and dental kits with biodegradable options made from corn and bamboo, eliminating approximately 30,000 pieces of single-use plastic.
In 2022, The Chedi replaced plastic garbage bags used for transporting linen and towels with fabric bags. This change removed 4,000 plastic wrappings in 2022, and an additional 8,000 plastic wrapping bags for beach towels in 2023, significantly reducing plastic waste.
The Chedi Luštica Bay is committed to using renewable energy sources. The hotel is heated with district heating supplied by water heating pumps, making it 100% CO2-neutral. All power is sourced from hydro-electric stations, supplemented by wind turbines. Despite higher occupancy rates, the hotel's power consumption has remained stable, demonstrating effective energy management.
In 2022, The Chedi began a long-term initiative to renew and recycle old paintings instead of purchasing new ones.
This project, in collaboration with Z Art, involves using special techniques to refresh 47 public area paintings.
This effort not only prevents these paintings from reaching landfills but also supports mental well-being through the Mental Ecology project, with 50% of the funds invested in paint recycling going towards this cause.
The collaboration between The Chedi and Z Art extends beyond painting renewal. Hotel corridors have been transformed into galleries featuring recycled prints turned into artistic images. These galleries showcase scenes of the sea and sky, accompanied by conceptual texts on science, art, and spirituality. This installation invites guests to experience new ecological art practices, fostering environmental awareness and mental health.
The life ambassadors team and guest experience team are dedicated to the well-being of guests, promoting and supporting a healthy lifestyle.
For employees, Heads of Departments (HODs) and Human Resources (HR) provide comprehensive support. Employees at The Chedi are hired according to Montenegrin labor laws and hospitality agreements, ensuring fair pay, modern hiring practices, and social protection. The hotel promotes equal opportunities for all age groups and genders. Flexible working models are offered to help employees balance their personal and professional lives. Advanced training, language courses, and internal development opportunities are actively supported, facilitating career advancement.
