Article published by Seychelles Nation

The tourism department has awarded 5 hotels with the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) certificates.

They are the Coral Strand Smart Choice Hotel, Banyan Tree Hotel, Kempinski Resort, Acajou Hotel and Heliconia Grove.

The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification programme designed specifically for use in Seychelles and is a voluntary, user-friendly initiative designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business.

Applicable to all hotel establishments of all sizes, the label places emphasis on eight key areas in which hotels can strive for sustainability, including electricity and energy, waste management and human resources among others. Establishments are awarded points upon inspection and receive their certification if they satisfy the qualifying criteria and meet the required points.

Hotels that have already been certified under the label are required to be recertified after a period of two years, whereby they must prove that they have gone further and put in extra effort (which must amount to 10 percent by the point scoring system).

Welcoming the representatives from the respective hotels during the certificate presentation ceremony on Tuesday, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Didier Dogley thanked them for taking the department’s initiative seriously and for striving towards sustainability, on account that visitors are now more environmentally-conscious.

Mesmerizing, unparallel beauty, these are just a few words used to describe the Seychelles islands. With its award winning sandy white beaches, lush greenery, unique rock formations, abundance of exotic biodiversity, rich marine life and unique culture, the name itself invokes the image of paradise on earth.

Environmental protection and conservation features high on the government’s agenda with over 50% of land and 30% planned marine space designated as protected areas, it comes as no surprise that the natural beauty of the islands remain intact.

In recognizing the need to protect and preserve our natural assets, the Ministry of Tourism is implementing the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL), a certification programme aimed at recognising hotels that incorporates responsible tourism within their operation. The SSTL has 21 hotels certified under its programme.

Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino, Constance Ephelia Resort and Maia Resort are three of the hotels that have achieved SSTL certification. We sat down with the managers of the hotels, Mr. Norazman Chung, Mr. Stephane Duchenne and Mr. Markus Ultsch-Unrath and Mr. Lionel Ferrari respectively to share their experience with the SSTL.

Maia Luxury Resort & Spa is the 21st hotel to be certified with the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label. The certificate awarding the hotel the recognition of being a responsible hotel with well- established sustainability practices was handed over by Minister Didier Dogley in a short ceremony on Tuesday 20th August 2019. Present from the ministry were also Mrs. Lafortune, the PS for Tourism Department and Mrs. Levkovic, Director Product Development. Receiving the certificate for the hotel was the General Manager Mr. Ferrari and Resident Manager, Mr. Hellec, who expressed their satisfaction in achieving this status.

The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label awarded certification to Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove on Thursday 27th June 2019. Lynn Tirant, the hotel’s Marketing Communications Manager, was present to receive the certificate from Didier Dogley, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine on behalf of the hotel. The small ceremony took place at the ministry’s headquarters at Botanical House, Mont Fleuri in the presence of Anne Lafortune, the Principal Secretary for Tourism and Janice Bristol, Senior Officer for Product Development in the Tourism Department.

Seychelles sustainable tourism label 

 

Raffles Seychelles has achieved the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) certification.

Minister Didier Dogley, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, presented the SSTL certificate to Mrs. Salwa Razzouk, Resort Manager of the hotel on Tuesday 14th May 2019. Present at the short ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters at Botanical House, Mont Fleuri were also Mrs. Anne Lafortune, the Principal Secretary for Tourism and Ms. Janice Bristol, Senior Officer in the Product Development at the Tourism Department.

The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label which is applicable to hotels of all sizes, is a voluntary certification scheme awarded to hotels in recognition for their sustainability efforts. The SSTL is internationally recognized and holds the Recognition Status with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley handed over SSTL certificates to representatives of two Hilton hotels in a short ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters, at Botanical House, Mont Fleuri on Wednesday 16th January 2019.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Spa and Double Tree by Hilton Allamanda Resort both located on Mahe were first certified in 2016.  On the expiry of their certification which was valid for 2 years these two hotels have gone through a re assessment where they have both scored over 10% more points than they scored 2 years ago.

During the two years, both hotels have intensified their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints. This includes installing solar lights across the whole property, motion sensor lighting, reconditioning of the Sewage Treatment Plant for more efficiency among others.  Both properties have also contributed to environment conservation through the establishment of coral nurseries in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles to help in coral reef restoration.

The tourism department has renewed the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) for three hotels and awarded the Seychelles eco-label to a new accommodation entity.

Representatives of Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino, Constance Ephelia Resort and Hotel L'Archipel received their SSTL certificates from  the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley, in a short ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters at Botanical House, Mont Fleuri.

This was in the presence of the tourism department’s principal secretary, Anne Lafortune, and director of product development, Sinha Levkovic.

Eco labels awarded to Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa and The H Resort Vallon Beach Seychelles.

The Tourism Department has awarded the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) to another two hotel establishments.=

Representatives of Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa and The H Resort Vallon Beach, received their SSTL certificates from the hands of the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley.

This was during a short ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters, at Botanical House, Mont Fleuri.

This was in the presence of the Tourism Department’s Principal Secretary, Anne Lafortune, and Director of Product Development, Sinha Levkovic.

Patrons of the CaranaBeach Hotel on Mahé in the Seychelles are being asked to safeguard the ocean and its inhabitants, each and every time they order a drink.

And they’ll do so by refusing to drink from a straw. Or at the very least, by enjoying the use of a biodegradable version supplied by the hotel.

CaranaBeach launched a “Refuse the Straw” initiative to commemorate its 2nd anniversary on the 21st April, with artwork positioned around its bar and restaurant areas promoting the concept that to refuse a straw could mean saving the life of a sea turtle or other marine animals, according to CaranaBeach PR, Branding and Communication Manager Nicole Saint Ange.

The Acajou Beach Resort has become the latest tourism establishment to be awarded the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL), after it was successfully assessed and certified as a resort that is integrating sustainability practices in its business operation.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne presented the Chairman of Acajou Beach Resort, Hugh Payet with the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label certificate on Tuesday 11th July. The ceremony was attended by the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Anne Lafortune and the Tourism Department’s Director for Product development, Sinha Levkovic.

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About SSTL

The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification programme designed specifically for use in Seychelles. It is voluntary, user-friendly, and designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business. 

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Address: Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine
Botanical House, PO Box 1049
Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles 

Phone: (+248) 4 28 65 00

Email: jbristol@tourism.gov.sc