Sustainable Tourism: How can an hotel be truly sustainable?

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Sustainable tourism is fast becoming a hot topic within the travel industry: as an increase in cheaper, more direct, air travel opens up the world for all of us to enjoy, it also sees an increasing environmental impact; one which governments, airlines and tour operators can no longer ignore. This has led to companies taking a more active approach when it comes to sustainability, with the UN working with the aviation industry to commit to a more sustainable future.

@lilyrose captures Constance Belle Mare Plage by drone, nestled in nature

What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism is a form of travel that aims to minimize its environmental impact while promoting positive experiences for local communities and visitors. It focuses on conserving natural resources, respecting cultural heritage, and ensuring that tourism contributes to the economic well-being of the destination without compromising the ability of future generations to enjoy the same environment and cultural experiences.

By emphasizing responsible practices, sustainable tourism seeks to balance the needs of travelers with the preservation of the places they visit.

The World Tourism Organisation describes sustainable tourism as:

“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

We at Constance have long been conscious of preserving the world we live in. Nature has always been our greatest inspiration and strength. Our resorts and hotels are located in some of the most beautiful natural surroundings in the world. We regard it as a privilege – not a right – for us to be there.

Villas at Constance Prince Maurice sit gently atop the Barachois.

Our brand philosophy, ‘True by Nature’, is the perfect representation of this, and is a belief shared by all who work at our seven hotels and resorts.

Here are four ways we try to contribute to a sustainable tourism.

How can an hotel be sustainable?

Creating a sustainable hotel involves implementing practices that reduce environmental impact and promote a responsible tourism industry. By adopting eco-friendly initiatives and prioritizing ethical operations, hotels can contribute to a more sustainable future while offering guests a high-quality experience that aligns with their values.

We reduce, reuse and recycle

We know that to be a truly sustainable resort, it starts with the way our hotels operate day-to-day. To ensure we’re protecting our local marine wildlife, we serve our cocktails without drinking straws, minimising plastic waste.

Enjoy a guilt-free cocktail during your stay with us.

We also reuse rainwater (on the rare occasion when there isn’t beautiful sunshine!) to water our plants, and use organic waste from our kitchens for composting.

Finally, we encourage our guests to participate in our efforts, by limiting the amount of laundry we do. Guests at Constance Halaveli in the Maldives are invited to use Kahambu, a small turtle toy, to tell us if bed linen requires changing.

A Sustainable Hotel preserve the nature around it

At Constance Lemuria Seychelles, we’re blessed to be home to a bale of Hawksbill turtles. From October to January, the female turtles bury their eggs in the sand under beach vegetation on our Grande Anse Kerlan.

Join us in releasing Baby Turtles back into the sea, at Constance Lemuria Seychelles.

To ensure that these eggs survive the eight-week incubation period, we protect them until the baby turtles are born, before releasing them back into the sea. Our guests, along with local school children, are invited to join us in the releasing ceremony, and play their part in this special moment.

Find out how we protect the environment around us at Constance!

Green Globe: Constance is certified for sustainable tourism

We’re proud to have been the first hotel group in Mauritius to receive Green Globe Certification.

The nature of the beach at Green Globe certified Constance Lemuria.

Green Globe Certification is assessed across four key criteria; sustainable hotel management, our investment in the social and economic development of our local communities, the preservation of our cultural heritage and conservation of the resources we use.

As a result of our efforts, our Green Globe status has been awarded for 3 years consecutively.

We believe in environmental education to promote sustainable tourism

Environmental education is important to us, and we love to share our knowledge with guests. The Eco Kiosk at Constance Lemuria is our opportunity to share our passion with you. Join us during your stay to learn about the beautiful flora and fauna of Praslin Island, and the Giant Aldabra tortoises.

@thebakeresslove joins our giant tortoises for feeding time at Constance Ephelia.

But we don’t just share our beliefs with our guests. Markus Ultsch-Unrath is Sustainability Manager at Constance Ephelia, and recently spent time with National Geographic to talk about the importance of our mangrove forest in Port Launay.

Kayaking through the mangrove at Constance Ephelia.

We actively replant the mangrove forest at Ephelia, which is home to various species of bird, fish and bat. We grow the mangrove trees in our nursery, before planting them in the hope of repopulating the mangrove to its former glory. Why not take a kayak trip through the mangroves, to see for yourself?

Our aim is to pass our commitment to the natural environment onto our guests, and that after your stay, maybe you too will feel inspired to preserve the beautiful world we live in.

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Have you been able to join us in our various environmental initiatives during your stay at one of our seven properties across the Indian Ocean? Share your comments below, we’d love to hear them!