The Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) member organisation in Mauritius, Reef Conservation is launching the national management of Green Key in the country.

Green Key certified Veranda Resorts, Mauritius. Photo credit: Rogers Hospitality.

The overall objective of Reef Conservation is to promote a holistic ridge to reef approach for the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity through local, regional, and international efforts in partnership with all concerned stakeholders. Reef Conservation carries out projects and initiatives in four programmes areas: Training; Education and sensitisation; Research and monitoring and Community and conservation.

Francois Rogers, Executive President of Reef Conservation, states: “After the development of Eco-Schools and YRE programmes in Mauritius and Rodrigues, it is an honour for Reef Conservation to oversee the deployment of Green Key certification across the hospitality sector in Mauritius. This high-quality certification with strict criteria developed to monitor and accompany the environmental and sustainable implementation of management and education. As this certification applies not only to hotels, but at large, to conference centres, leisure parks, restaurants and small hotels, the Green Key Certification will greatly contribute to support the transformation of Mauritius in a sustainable island destination.’”

A Green Key Steering Committee has been formed in Mauritius with the support of professionals of the industry, namely: Mr Renaud Azema, General Manager of Vatel School (Mauritius), Mr Gulshan Teeluck, Training Officer and Acting Coordinator for the Tourism Department at the Mauritius Institute of Training & Development, Ms Jodi Naidoo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Tourism, Leisure, and Services School of Sustainable Development and Tourism (SSDT) at the University of Technology Mauritius and Mr Daren Moodley, Coordinator of Sustainable Island Program & Consultant at the Tourism Authority. All on-site audits will be carried out by SGS Mauritius.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds: “We have had Green Key certified establishments (Heritage Resorts hotels) in Mauritius since 2017, and we are extremely proud to have Reef Conservation taking over the management of Green Key at the national level which will enhance the continued development of the Green Key programme in Mauritius.”