Climate change will continue to hover over Travel but we are addressing it and will always promote best practice such as the resorts that have gone Carbon neutral in Mauritius.
Small islands stand particularly exposed to the warming seas.
And Mauritius in the Indian Ocean is particularly vulnerable.
They are though meeting the challenge.
And Heritage Resorts and Veranda Resorts have stood up.
With the first carbon neutral hotels in Mauritius.
The Resorts will offset all CO2 emissions that would be generated by a hotel stay.
How does it work?
Well, we’re told this will be achieved through the purchase of carbon credits.
With the Aura Group, an environmental commodity trader and through local carbon offset projects including the construction of a solar farm.
Guests at Veranda hotels can make a voluntary contribution to the projects.
It’s all happening under a Mauritian model (no, not that kind of model but there are plenty of them there) called Now For Tomorrow
Over to you, Thierry
Thierry Montocchio, CEO of the VLH group, puts flesh on the bones.
He said: ‘Our conservation programme that created ten artificial reefs in the Bel Ombre lagoon has enabled significant regeneration of the corals.
‘And we have seen 20 new species of fish.
‘Our Heritage Training Academy has empowered local communities.
‘And offered them a career in the hotel industry.
‘Our new water bottling unit enabled us to avoid using the equivalent of 27 tons of plastic bottles in 2019.
‘And in addition, 65% of our waste has been recycled.
‘Now for Tomorrow is also a first in the sector.
Because it promises carbon neutrality through clearly defined objectives and an action plan.
‘Acting for the climate and the environment means identifying and neutralising our greenhouse gas emissions.
‘And coming up with concrete initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality.’
Local produce
The group has also committed to include from the beginning of next year 100% of the fruits and vegetables, seafoods, poultry and meat consumed in their hotels will come from Mauritian farmers and producers.
Or from regional partners in the Indian Ocean.
They are looking to recycle 75% of its waste by 2022.
‘And aims to reduce food waste by committing to a pilot project carried out in collaboration with The Pledge on Food Waste.’
It’s a deal
So now you’ve signed up to doing your little bit to save the planet what are you getting for your bucks?
Well, Heritage Resorts has Heritage Awali.
It is billed as the best 5* all-inclusive resort in Mauritius offers you €193 per night per adult.
And the Heritage Le Telfair, your refined small luxury hotel from €124 per night, per adult.
It’s an even better deal
Should your budget not stretch that far.
Then Veranda Resorts has Veranda Palmar Beach €25 per night, Veranda Paul & Virgine €44 per night and Veranda Pointe aux Biches €54.
And a nod to others
Now, we all love to let ourselves go when we’re away but excess doesn’t equate to success.
It would be wrong too to accept that all holidaymakers particularly those from my bailiwicks, Britain and Ireland, just go on holiday for the sun, sea and sangria.
And care little about the country they visit or its people.
We take, of course, our inspiration from those for whom conservation isn’t the latest fad.
And have been banging the drum for years.
Such as G Adventures and their initiative Planeterra.
I saw first it hand in Jordan and they employ it across the world.
While we’re also glad to see that our friends in Mauritius are leading the way on the future coral.
Which my old buddies from the Maldives and Tobago will fully subscribe.
And finally
The whole planet’s future depends on us doing the right thing… and our small nations are standing up and being counted.
So, let’s hear it for Carbon neutral in Mauritius.
