To make sure that the green tourism approach is sustainable, hoteliers have also taken the plunge and implemented several actions such as the ban of single-use plastic products inside hotels, wastewater recycling, and even the decrease of buffets in favour of set menus to reduce food waste. Here, we take a look at some of the sustainable initiatives going on there as well as what individual travellers can do. Improving Sustainable Tourism in Mauritius through greening the value chain of tour operators (SUS-ISLAND) The Tourism Industry at a glance in 2018 1,399,408 Tourist Arrivals 4.3% Growth RS 64.0 Billions Earnings Nearly 15% contribution to GDP 93.4% of Tourists coming on holidays And, without meaning to sound rude, what do you do all day? The Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards recognise the safest and most sustainable stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as local SMEs, rewarding the genuine efforts to change for the better. Youll also find gentler paths for nature lovers and more adventurous routes for the bold. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to complete the Accreditation process which relates to the quality and neutrality of their certification process. Some have also implemented environmental projects such as the rehabilitation of mangroves, the protection of sea turtles, or the conservation of underwater areas near the resorts, and all this with the involvement of employees and guests. Mauritius already attracts over 1 million tourists to its natural paradise each year. Turn off the AC when you leave and turn the thermostat up when you are in. We know that this is not ideal but we then buy carbon offsets to make up the rest. At Heritage Le Telfair, 40-50% of our energy is spent on air conditioning. Like the one in Black River, it is part of a conservation program and is easily accessed from the main road. For Any Help, Questions or Suggestions, Contact Us Some species that live on Ile aux Aigrettes can only be found on this islet, such as the Telfair skink. We believe that adopting the Sustainable Tourism Standard MS 165:2019 will revamp our image on the international arena as one of the most prestigious tourism destinations which takes care at protecting the biodiversity of the island and preserving its ecological balance, thus ensuring sustainable development of the tourism sector.. FMI Bytes: Could space tourism become the next big thing in tour and travel industry? The new U.S. Embassy Campus will provide a secure, sustainable, and modern platform to support the U.S. Embassy's mission to represent the people of the United States to the Republic of Mauritius. A good guide will show you some of the oldest restaurants and shops in the Indian and Chinese neighbourhoods, highlighting small family businesses that have thrived over the years. Moreover, the MSB is the designated WTO TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) National Enquiry Point in respect to standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures in force under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade of the World Trade Organization. We try to educate guests as to why we are doing that so that they dont think its a problem. Yet, except for the mentioned reform of the Tourism Authority to foster sustainable tourism development, little has been shared on this. Action 2 - Post a photo on your Facebook or Instagram Stories or LinkedIn each time you reach to use single-use plastic in your daily life from the 4th - 5th June . Fisheries biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism in Mauritius This remarkable growth has led to more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality and much improved infrastructure. The real challenge is trying to get people to understand why we are making a change. Imagine the crash of the ocean, the soothing beats of the beach bar and the sun on the back of your neck as you read. Sustainable Travel Policy Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards 2022 - susisland.com As the largest protected park in Mauritius, Black River Gorges National Park mesmerises with its rolling hills, blue lakes, and the waters of the Alexandra Falls. And while were on the subject of giant, its impossible to miss the Victoria Amazonica giant water lilies, sprawling across the lakes. By supporting the protection of the environment and local tradition in a non-exploitative way, you can cast your vote for the kind of tourism you want. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If you are interested in birdwatching or photography, tour operators can arrange for you to have a great time with one of their tailor-made tours. In line with the 'Sustainable Island - Mauritius Project', the MS165 . On the south-east coast, Ile aux Aigrettes, a small island in the lagoon, is part of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundations (MWF) conservation program in collaboration with the government. Lets talk carbon footprints. The overall objective of SIM is to promote sustainable tourism in Mauritius by demonstrating and scaling up self sustaining mechanism for improving sustainability impacts along the value chain, and improving awareness and market of sustainable tourism products. This is especially important for an island that possesses and offers to their tourists an incredible variety of resources and attractions., This GSTC recognition of our local standard is a testimony of the professional work undertook by the team from the Mauritius Standards Bureau and officers from the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Authority, says Khoudijah Boodoo, Director, Mauritius Tourism Authority. I think we all know thats a problem as, realistically, people have to fly to Mauritius. What Sustainable Food Tourism Can Look Like in Mauritius Some I had the privilege of testing out, others come highly recommended and I hope to return to try. "We strongly believe that through this international recognition, the local stakeholders would take the best of advantages to levelling up their operations to meet best sustainability practices. World Environment Day #BeatPlastic24 hour challenge We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced that the Mauritian Standard on Sustainable Tourism has achieved the GSTC-Recognized Standard status. This land shows the native state of the landscape in Mauritius, setting the scene for how things used to be. The Mauritius Tourism Development Plan sets a target of acquiring Green Destination status for Mauritius by 2030. First, it was just me but now we have a team of eleven people. Thats why sustainable tourism aims to use resources consciously, in ways that will preserve them for future generations. Check our News Events section and follow us on Twitter and facebook. You can also dive for up to 45 meters if you have the necessary permits. GOA Roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for achieving the Sustainable . In addition sustainable tourism helps to protect and preserve the natural environment through activities . Mauritius Standards Bureau website: http://msb.intnet.mu. But Heritage Le Telfair is carbon neutral, right? Reef-safe sunscreen is the phrase you need to look for. Right now we are developing some online only workshops due to the pandemic. Find out what the UN in Mauritius is doing towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was followed by a panel discussion with G20 member countries including Spain, Singapore, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil and India. The Sustainable Culinary Week at a glance. Despite its successful handling of the public health emergency, the economic impact was severe, and GDP contracted by 14.6% in 2020. This Awards Ceremony will recognise the safest and most sustainable stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as local SMEs . Senegal is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and storm surges, with 700 kms of coastline along the . Mauritius is an ideal location for rest and relaxation, allowing visitors to de-stress, enjoy luxurious treatments with natural products and enjoy a true sense of serenity. That consists of three parts. It is meant for any tourism business or any tourism-related activity to enhance its sustainability performance. 7th Floor We take leftovers to an NGO nearby and we are working on a recycling scheme. Sustainable Island Mauritius - (SUS-ISLAND) Greening of tour - UNEP The aim: to minimize tourisms negative impacts on the environment and maximize the positive contributions it brings to local communities. In line with the 'Sustainable Island Mauritius Project', the MS165:2019 has an ever prominent role to play, consolidating our positioning as a high-level tourist destination while ensuring the sustainability of the Industry. 2021 Conscious Travel Ltd. All rights reserved. Promoting sustainable tourism in Mauritius - EEAS Bras dEau forest is another national park in the east. You will learn about the remarkable conservation work done over the years, with the support of the Durell Wildlife Foundation Trust. For Mauritius is home to the Dodo or at least it used to be. Balaclava and Blue Bay Marine Parks, Mauritius - Solimar Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism | United Nations in Mauritius As ever, as always, I kept the right to write what I like. The aim is to develop an international statistical framework for measuring tourisms role in sustainable development, including economic, environmental and social dimensions. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Copyright Silver Footprint Ltd 2023. SWITCH-Africa Green Programme is implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme with the financial support of the European Union. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. U.S. Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Embassy Campus in Moka GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. Mauritius is a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, located about 2,400 kilometres off the South East Coast of Africa and almost fully surrounded by colourful coral reefs. How important is it and its impact for the development of the island? Tours are conducted by expert guides and take around an hour and a half, which is enough to discover many of the rare plants, birds, and animals, some of them unique in the world. These requirements to be measured, monitored and evaluated for continual improvement of the sustainability of the tourism industry in Mauritius. We have to measure, to be transparent and sincere as it is so easy to greenwash, even by mistake. Global: +506 8699 5081, Working Hours Ecology has taken on an increasingly important place at all levels and, much more than its beaches, Mauritius offers a wide range of things to see and do inland during your stay. Stakeholders therefore need to embrace principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability for continued success. In fact, sustainability considers 3 main areas: Photo by Karl Ahnee My Moris organizes cultural tours in Mauritius villages on bicycle or by foot. Ecotourism in Mauritius is gaining traction and thats something to celebrate. The focus of the Sustainability Tourism Standard is to address requirements of the environmental impacts and its effect on land, air, water and other organism and ecosystem of the island. Vindaye, which is deep-fried fish with a condiment crust, is very popular, as a more fragrant kind of vindaloo. Throughout the week, a range of food experiences took place around Mauritius, each tackling a different piece of the jigsaw puzzle: living and eating more sustainably - without . We are growing our own herb and vegetable garden to reduce food transport further. COMMUNIQUE Skippers Licence (Category C licence- Navigation up to 12 Nautical Miles), GUIDELINE PROTOCOL FOR ENTRY AND DEPARTURE OF VESSELS AT PORT LOUIS HARBOUR. In other words, perhaps, its position makes a focus on sustainable travel all the more important. Most of our time is spent measuring and training. Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP), Germany, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Association of inbound Operators Mauritius (AIOM), Ile aux Cerfs Based Pleasure Craft Association. Tourism in support of local & sustainable development in Mauritius Introduction Interview with Jean-Michel Pitot, CEO of the Attitude Group 5 In summary: the impacts and responsibilities of the Attitude Group 8 Part 1 Values and "positive impact" strategy 9 1.1. The social-cultural impacts that affect local communities, social structure and cultures as well as economic impacts categorised as direct, indirect or induced. We offset. 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"Mauritius is a destination of pleasure with the Mauritian hospitality composing of the rainbow and peaceful population originating from India, China, Africa, and Europe. Sustainable Tourism - Tourism Mauritius Annual tourism growth has been in the range of 5 % to 6%. It is a parastatal body set up under the Mauritius Standards Bureau Act 1993 and operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection and a non-profit making organisation. Welcome to the first Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards 2022! The completion of these step-wise programs rewards standard owners for their commitment to sustainability while offering the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the worlds natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation. Copyright 2023 United Nations in Mauritius, UNWTOs International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Sunlife's Proactive Approach to Sustainable Experiences. Ecotourism in Mauritius: How to Have an Eco-Friendly Holiday Research Paper Exclusively available on IvyPanda Updated: Dec 29th, 2019 Table of Contents Introduction to Tourism in Mauritius Profile of Mauritian Tourists Major Attractions Major Activities References Sustainable tourism also ensures that development is a positive experience for local people, tourism companies, and tourists themselves. Located in a 19th-century building that was declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it includes a series of collections presenting the flora and fauna of Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands. And you know what? susisland.com - Improving Sustainable Tourism in Mauritius Through Accreditation? This is being done in partnership with the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) in Germany. These cookies do not store any personal information. Or, you can clamber into a safari truck and drive through the reserve that way. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The ultra short version involves reading this article on how to be a responsible tourist and taking it from there. We are proud to welcome Mauritius as a destination that adopts an integrated approach to sustainable tourism development through comprehensive standards that include all aspects of sustainability: management, social/community, cultural, and environmental, says Luigi Cabrini, Chair, GSTC. Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards - Tourism Authority Mauritius Conscious is a sustainable travel & ecotourism guide that invites travellers to discover Mauritius' uniqueness in an authentic way. If you are visiting in March or April when the guavas are ripe and ready for harvesting, you can hire a local guide to show you how to pick them yourself. Kotpiale : Finding authentic Mauritius in a local Fashion Company, We had many past events that you can learn about in our news section. Mauritius is a well-known tourist destination, and it is increasingly attracting health tourists, particularly those seeking wellness services and facilities. This trip to a sustainable food festival in Mauritius run by Heritage Resorts really made me see this traditional advice in a new light. It will also recognise those who are driving environmental and responsible awareness and adopting tangible measures to ensure enhanced sustainability within the tourism sector. The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as "tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of. The Mauritius Tourism Authority, operating under the Ministry of Tourism, aims to foster the sustainable development of the tourism industry. The GSTC will continue to work with organizations around the world to provide GSTC Recognition of standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. How travelers can help promote ecotourism in Mauritius Learn about employment opportunities across the UN in Mauritius. Additionally, an organization that meets GSTC requirements must administer the standard. The management of terrestrial biodiversity and the Mauritius ecosystem is under the aegis of the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS). Yes, that long haul flight isnt going to be magically wiped away by, well, anything. Every year, more than 1.3 million tourists visit the island of Mauritius. The visit there is a must. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Gift Card She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. The focus of the Sustainability Tourism Standard is to address requirements of the environmental impacts and its effect on land, air, water and other organism and ecosystem of the island. Take a food tour and you can satisfy your stomach at the same time as your brain as you hear colourful stories about the small businesses you are supporting. Ecology has taken on an increasingly important place at all levels and, much more than its beaches, Mauritius offers a wide range of things to see and do inland during your stay. Our work on the Sustainable Development Goals. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. We had many past events that you can learn about in our news section. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to complete the Accreditation process which relates to the quality and neutrality of their certification process. Hes also shy about his English , even though he shouldnt be. The Tourism Authority is pleased to present its new edition of the Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards 2023 with the commitment to promote good sustainable practices in the Tourism Industry. At La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes park in Rivire des Anguilles, you will come across the Aldabra tortoises, introduced in Mauritius after the extinction of the endemic species of giant tortoises that lived here, and the impressive Mauritian bat, the only endemic mammal of the Mascarenes Islands. Sustainable Island Mauritius (SIM) is a project funded by the European Union in the framework of the SWITCH Africa Green programme. We measure and compare to the baseline. Sustainable Tourism Mauritius positions itself as a green tourism destination and has committed to develop sustainable activities and leisure during the last years. The main attractions are the palm trees, with over 85 varieties. Support hotels and businesses who are making an effort. [Big smile.] Manage Settings Improving Sustainaible Tourism In Mauritius through Greening the Value Chain of Tour Operators (SUS-ISLAND) is a Switch Africa grand project funded by the European Commission and led by Mauritius Tourism Authority. Then there is the dodo, the most famous example of extinction in history. I have a Masters in the Science of Earth and the Environment and spent two years in coastal projects management. Quad biking tours are also popular if you are a fan. Achieving the GSTC-Recognized status means that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Accreditation Panel and deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. The assessment addresses the development and adaptation of innovative co-management arrangements for MPAs and uses tourism conservation models to produce a tailored set of recommendations supporting sustainable tourism development in Balaclava and Blue Bay Marine Parks. And in the longer version, settle down with a rum cocktail (locally produced, obviously) and catch up with Alexandre Piat, the Head of Sustainability at Heritage Resorts. The foundations goal is to raise awareness of the importance of green tourism while creating jobs for local people. The overall objective of SIM is to promote sustainable tourism in Mauritius by demonstrating and scaling up self-sustaining mechanism for improving sustainability impacts along the value chain and improving awareness and market of sustainable tourism products. On the west coast, Casela Nature Parks will be the perfect place for a family outing. We are working on building a field of solar panels and aim for that to provide 80% of our energy needs by next year. Volcanic in origin, its land is covered in dense forests and reservations, home to the Mauritius kestrel and giant tortoises. What is Certification? Youll also spot the Indian influence in dishes like biryani or chilli-coconut chutney. GSTC-Recognized Standards & Systems for Hotels | GSTC The United States will invest approximately $300 million (Rs14 billion) in this project. National Budget 2023 - 2024 | Sustainability | PwC Mauritius The project will promote sustainable tourism in Mauritius by demonstrating and scaling up self-sustaining mechanisms for improving sustainability impacts along value chains. Here you can see the famous giant tortoise and the pink pigeons. The Mauritian Standard on Sustainable Tourism is now a GSTC-recognized What is sustainable tourism? This second edition will honour organisations and/or individuals in Mauritius and Rodrigues for their outstanding work in reducing their carbon footprint . Now, the great bird simply watches new arrivals in the airport hall, alive only in the form of the worlds imagination and a series of bright coloured keyring chains. Locals told me that this was the best area for hiking on the island, and local guides can still show you some secret spots. Heritage Resorts hosted their first Sustainable Culinary Week or La Semaine de la Gastronomie Durable for the first time in 2022 with the aim to make it an annual event. Peace of Mind Booking Policy Enhancing the resource productivity and environmental performance of MSMEs in 6 African countries through the concept of industrial symbiosis, Developing capacity amongst Rodriguans to adopt green businesses through training for key stakeholders and through the development of a green business guidebook. We are proud to welcome Mauritius as a destination that adopts an integrated approach to sustainable tourism development through comprehensive standards that include all aspects of sustainability: management, social/community, cultural, and environmental, says Luigi Cabrini, Chair, GSTC.