Four of the idyllic Veranda Resorts (Pointe aux Biches, Paul & Virginie, Palmar Beach, and Tamarin Hotel) have now joined the Green Key network of certified establishments. The resorts are part of the Rogers Hospitality group, that has also ownership over two Heritage Resorts units, in Maldives, that have been receiving the Green Key label since 2017.
The Veranda Tamarin unit is one of the newly certified Green Key establishments in Mauritius.
The Rogers Hospitality group has taken even more significant steps towards a more sustainable hospitality sector in Mauritius. After successfully renewing the Green Key certification for two of its Heritage Resorts units (Le Telfair and Awali) since 2017, the hospitality group decided it was time for another of its hotel brands to comply with the high environmental standards set by Green Key International.
For the first time, four out of the five units of the beautiful Veranda Resorts have entered the Green Key network of certified establishments, namely the Veranda Pointe aux Biches, Veranda Paul & Virginie, Veranda Palmar Beach and Veranda Tamarin Hotel. On the importance of receiving the Green Key certificate, the Sustainable Development Coordinator of Veranda Resorts Pooja Etwah has said:
"[…]I am truly proud of our first Green Key certification. Upon the recruitment of full-time sustainability officers in all our resorts, there has been a smooth implementation, follow-up and engagement across all our hotels in undertaking sustainability principles to a higher level. Our teams are committed to protecting the environment through best practices and innovative measures and including the local community and guests in all activities related to sustainable development.[…] By embarking on the Green Key program, we are sure to be following strong international standards as well as provide our stakeholders with a high level of transparency and credibility in our actions. […]".'
According to the Veranda Resorts' Sustainable Development Coordinator, following the Green Key criteria has allowed the hotels’ teams to develop and revise their operational procedures. In addition, extra training has been provided to the Veranda staff to raise awareness on the importance of integrating environmental and social factors into operations.
Sustainable development has been embedded in Rogers's Hospitality DNA for several years. The hotel's strategy has focused on five pillars: energy transition, biodiversity preservation and restoration, a circular economy model for better waste management, inclusive development and vibrant communities. For each of its pillars, the Veranda Resorts have adopted specific measures. For example, in the energy transition pillar, staff is asked to verify whether new electronic equipment is energy-efficient before proceeding with the purchase. Moreover, there is regular monitoring of the lighting systems at the resorts to ensure that all LED lamps are correctly functioning and that external lighting is only used when necessary.
Guests are also involved in the different Veranda Resorts strategies targeting sustainability. For example, visitors at the Veranda Pointe aux Biches unit are invited to switch off their room lights for 1 hour to help reduce energy consumption. In all resorts, the visitors are also encouraged to enjoy nature activities, including sea activities, bike-riding or visits to natural parks.
Waste management is also essential to the Veranda resorts' sustainable programme. Each hotel's team is responsible for sorting all waste before sending it to recycling stations. In addition, the concerns about waste management are also transmitted to the younger generations of visitors through upcycling workshops offered at the resorts' kids clubs. More recently, the Veranda resorts have committed to work towards eliminating single-use guest-related plastic items from operations, such as wet bathroom amenities, that have now been placed in recyclable and reusable containers.
Finally, the Green Key-certified Veranda resorts also work closely with the local community in Mauritius. Donations and healthy food are distributed among vulnerable families, and literacy classes are also offered to the hotels' staff. In addition, the hotels make sure to include local seasonal food in their menus and support local businesses.
Green Key International congratulates the four certified Veranda Resorts for their incredible strategy and initiatives that target the reduction of environmental impact while helping to promote more literacy and knowledge on sustainable tourism development in Mauritius.