On this 27th of September, we celebrate the power of tourism: its ability to foster inclusion, experience nature and promote cultural understanding.

Over the past two years, this historic pillar of our economy has suffered one of its biggest crises ever with the worldwide spread of the pandemic.

While the recovery of the sector is well underway, Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) invites worldwide leaders and stakeholders to reflect upon and Rethink Tourism, namely in “ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of people and planet”.

As an active member of the Hospitality and Travel industries in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region, the Rogers Group has made Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism two of its key developmental goals.

Through a series of steps undertaken and milestones reached over the past few years, the Group actively participates in making ecotourism not only a positively impactful shift for communities and livelihoods, but also one that can catalyse significant change for the preservation of our biodiversity in these times of climate emergency.

• In 2021, right after the opening of our borders, Rogers Hospitality became one of the first hotel groups in the region to offer Carbon Neutral stays within some of its hotels through the “Now For Tomorrow” programme.
• In November 2021, Rogers Aviation introduced the “Fly Greener” programme – a carbon offset program, that allows desirous travellers to make up for their carbon footprint through air travel, hotel stays and car rental, by investing in carbon-reducing projects.
• Since December 2021, the Black River Gorges - Bel Ombre reserve is protected under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. This reserve shelters the last remnants of Mauritius’ native plant species.
• Since 2021, Agrïa is developing its Farm-to-Fork offering to provide the hotels of the region with fresh, local produce. In return, Rogers Hospitality sources its ingredients and food items either locally or from the Indian Ocean region.
• In April 2022, the Rogers Group and Odysseo signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the protection and restoration of marine biodiversity and the development of ecotourism.
• In May 2022, the Rogers Group launched the territorial brand of Bel Ombre “Lamer. Later. Lavi.” with the ambition to make the region a benchmark for “Sustainable Tropical Art de Vivre” in Mauritius and placing the region at the heart of its actions in the fight against climate change as well as the protection and regeneration of biodiversity.
• In June 2022, Bel Ombre village was nominated for the second edition of the "Best Tourism Villages" competition organised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This worldwide competition promotes villages where tourism brings opportunities and helps preserve cultures, traditions and biodiversity while celebrating diversity. The results will be known by the end of 2022.
• December 2023 will see the launch of La Réserve Golf Links. Located right next to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this golf course is being thoughtfully monitored in its design planning and creation, with a view towards GEO Certified Development status. This certification is the global standard for sustainable course design and construction. 

While this is but a glimpse of our contributions to the full-fledged development of these ventures over the past two years, our teams are hard at work to go above and beyond the various avenues that ecotourism and sustainable tourism have opened for the Rogers Group and our country at large.

Stay posted for more updates on our website and social media platforms.