DESTINATIONS SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL |MAURITIUS


TRIED


& TESTED


Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa


This family-friendly resort’s key selling point is its location, at less than 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. It has ample coastline offering both a quiet beach suited to swimming and


a ‘wild’ one with feistier waves. Book it: Seven nights’ all- inclusive in a Superior Room starts from £2,085.*


Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa; Beautiful Localhands pots; Paradis Beachcomber Resort & Spa; Beautiful Localhands artisan; Beachcomber bottled water PICTURES: Edition Ile aux Images; Sar Production; Shutterstock/darryllouis245


waste disposal. Food waste has also fallen, with smaller servings at the buffet, and any leftovers sent to local non-profit organisation FoodWise or to nearby farmers to feed livestock. Koenig says: “We are the biggest hotel group in Mauritius, so we must preserve these sites and make sure our people grow and develop. We have a very important role to play to set the tone for others and for the country. “As a destination, there’s


definitely more consciousness about sustainability now, though there are certain things that are irreversible. The reef is becoming more of a concern because of bleaching linked to climate change.” That’s evident on a snorkelling


tour from the southeastern resort of Shandrani, which reveals not only a colourful array of fish – from pretty butterflyfish and long trumpetfish lurking around the seabed to huge schools of zebra-striped sergeant majors – but also some areas


38 11 APRIL 2024 Local artisans


at a craft workshop etch the island’s famous dodo into traditional clay pottery before it’s ready for the kiln


of less-than-healthy reef, where bleaching is clearly evident.


MEET THE MAKERS While some measures such as coral reef preservation take place behind the scenes, guests at resorts such as Trou aux Biches and Cannonier can get involved with sustainability- focused tours and visits to craft workshop Beautiful Localhands. Set in the west coast town of Bambous, this small studio was established in 2006 to offer a space for people from nearby


villages to create products to sell to tourists. These include the ravanne – a tambourine-like instrument used in traditional sega music and dancing – along with pottery, ceramics, jewellery and other keepsakes. About 20 artisans are based at the workshop, with a further 10 working from home – primarily women in search of flexible work – including some who have been with the scheme for more than 15 years. They are self-employed but can access support for business tasks or buying materials. Perhaps most importantly, they are paid upfront for what they produce. With quick hands deftly stretching goatskins across the circular frame of the ravanne or etching the island’s famous dodo into clay pottery before it’s ready for the kiln, the local artisans’ enthusiasm for showcasing traditional Mauritian crafts shines through. And for clients who want more from the Indian Ocean than sun, sea and sand, it’s a reminder that the island has much more in store for those who explore.


TW


This is Beachcomber’s biggest resort. It’s well-suited to clients who want plenty of water sports, restaurants and bars. Suites are spacious and come with access to the beach or shared pools. Many also have outdoor showers, private plunge pools or privileges at the


nearby golf course. Book it: Seven nights’ half- board in a Junior Suite starts from £2,105.*


Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa


Fresh from a €12 million refurbishment completed last October, Paradis is one of the island’s most striking resorts, with the Le Morne mountain as a backdrop and an on-site golf course. The renovation upgraded 120 rooms and eight suites as well as its beachfront restaurants, including Mauritian eatery Blue Marlin and


Mediterranean-style spot Zest. Book it: Seven nights’ half- board in a Paradis Bay View Room starts from £2,190.*


*All prices are per person and based on two people sharing, departing June 2025. They include economy flights with Air Mauritius, private transfers


and free land and water sports. beachcombertours.uk


travelweekly.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52