Community projects, Mauritius

Responsible Travel is about sensitively supporting the host country's environment, social and economic policies, whilst minimising visitors own negative impact in these three areas. In partnership with the Non Government Organisations (NGO's), volunteers will provide support with children of varying abilities, doing activities from craft work, excursions and leisure games to decorating, gardening and general maintenance of community buildings. The project focuses on community development, therefore socially supports the country's policies. The proceeds from volunteer placements will provide economic support as equipment, often scarce in these organisations, will be supplied ensuring its sustainability.

The project aims to allow a maximum of 4 volunteers per month for period of up to 2 weeks so that the communities are not overwhelmed. All staff are locally employed and are trained to minimise their own negative impact whilst on tour and projects, by refilling water containers, collecting any waste at campsites and disposing of it properly. They are there to set the example.

All volunteers will receive an orientation evening on responsible travel conduct whilst in Mauritius and here are some suggestions of effective ways to follow such practices. All guests are asked to bring their own linen and towels so to reduce the energy consumed through onsite laundering. We advise prior to arrival to avoid bringing products that use plastics or cardboard as Mauritius has yet to develop a collection facility. If any such products are brought e.g. toiletries, visitors are kindly asked to return packaging back to host country where it can be recycled effectively and any biodegradable rubbish is to be disposed in recycled refuse bags supplied by trained staff.

All guests will have the opportunity to offset their own carbon footprint by sponsoring a plant (e.g. purchasing a native plant) and planting it in a designated conservation area, either in the National Park, or on our land set aside for conservation. Here, we are working with the NCPS (National Conservation Parks Service) to create conservation botanical garden, which feel is a more direct approach to minimising visitors environmental impact. 30% of the profits made will be put back to fund equipment and materials ensuring the sustainability of the project.

Volunteers will stay in a local guest house run by local people above a family residence. The aim is to promote small businesses who minimise their own impact environmentally by using solar showers and informing guests to minimise water usage and electricity. All meals are provided in order to ensure that the food consumed comes from local fresh food markets, reducing unnecessary packaging and waste. Our office is a relatively paperless operation and all communication with prospective guests is done through e-mail/telephone. All our promotional material is accessible on our website; including a booking enquiry page and breakdown of all the projects on offer, we do not have brochures, flyers or any press releases therefore we minimise paper waste. Any mail sent will use recyclable paper and envelopes.

Guests are encouraged to venture out using public services and experience the diverse cultures, restaurants/food stalls, and support the many small businesses that offer souvenirs and textiles. However, we ask guests to dress conservatively in religious places of interest or in public places. The people of Mauritius are very friendly in general and are always happy to help when asked. We kindly remind all visitors that Mauritius is a small Island and has a fragile economy with a large population; therefore, the government priorities for its people are on issues like employment, health and education and not primarily on the environment. Our aim is to show the government by our operation that there is a future in eco tourism and the guests who visit Mauritius will not only take something special away but also give a little back and make a difference.