How Regenerative Travel Is Having an Impact in the Seychelles

Travel to the Seychelles and you’ll likely initially be struck by the lush wilderness that blankets each picture-postcard island in the archipelago. Delve further into the story behind these islands’ landscapes and you’ll soon discover the significant sustainability efforts behind the Seychelles’ ecologically rich environment.

Sustainable tourism is described as a way of exploring destinations while respecting their environments, cultures and people. Regenerative tourism takes that philosophy a step further with the goal of making a positive impact on the place you’re visiting.

By taking this philosophy to heart, travelers can reap the experiential benefits of consciously interacting with a destination like the Seychelles.

Green Archipelago

Sustainability and regeneration are central to the approach the Seychelles takes to tourism. Adding to the country’s robust environmental efforts led by the Seychelles Ministry of Environment (from waste management to the use of biodegradable substitutes in manufacturing) is an environmentally responsible strategy for the tourism on which this nation is so reliant.

“The Seychelles relies heavily on its natural resources and unique biodiversity to attract tourists,” says Bernadette Willemin, director of general marketing for Tourism Seychelles. “The Seychelles government recognizes that preserving these resources is crucial for the long-term viability of its tourism industry.”

Several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and conservation bodies heighten these sustainability and conservation efforts with their own impactful initiatives. With its vision of making the Seychelles a best-practice example for sustainable tourism, the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation connects public, private, NGO and academic tourism stakeholders in the Seychelles to facilitate joint-sustainability initiatives.

The not-for-profit Ocean Project Seychelles then tackles the issue of marine debris, while Wise Ocean Seychelles works alongside local NGOs to conduct marine conservation projects utilizing resort-generated funds.

The Seychelles’ largest and oldest environmental NGO, Nature Seychelles, is a leader in the conservation and management of environmentally significant pockets of the archipelago, such as Cousin Island Special Reserve.

Other organizations among the many making a difference here include the Seychelles Islands Foundation, which is dedicated to ensuring the islands’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites are well managed, and the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, which is responsible for all marine and terrestrial national parks and gardens.

Island Regeneration

Among the archipelago’s eco-conscious hotels are standout island resorts whose idyllic retreats act as platforms for regenerating their home islands. North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles tells the story of North Island’s transformation from a damaged landscape, which was abandoned in the 1970s following the collapse of the coconut industry, into a lush natural habitat teeming with indigenous wildlife.

The invasive species of flora and fauna that had taken over the island were eradicated to make way for the endemic wildlife that makes the Seychelles so unique in the natural world.

The island’s Noah’s Ark initiative has seen ecologists gradually rebuild the wildlife-filled environment that now flourishes with such exuberance here. Indigenous trees, including the Seychelles’ native coco de mer palm, grow across the now lush landscape inhabited by native fauna like the Seychelles sunbird, the Seychelles giant day gecko, and of course, the archipelago’s famous Aldabra giant tortoises.

Hawksbill and green turtles nest on the island’s sandy shores, and the surrounding marine-life-rich waters benefit from the resort’s marine protection initiatives, including reef monitoring by resident environmentalists and ecotourism volunteers.

Fitting in with this environment, the resort is built with preservation in mind, and sustainability remains at the forefront of its operations. Standalone villas are set away from the beachfront to avoid noise and light disturbance for species like turtles, and the dive center and library now occupy restored historic coral buildings. The island only uses eco-friendly compostable food packaging, and the resort also has its own water-bottling plant.

Guests can gain insight into North Island’s impressive conservation efforts on snorkeling and scuba diving excursions, as well as while sea kayaking and on walks around the island. You might be lucky enough to see turtles laying their eggs or hatching on the shores, and regular talks shine a light on the island’s conservation work.

Dishes drawing on Seychellois Creole flavors, and making use of local ingredients, are offered in the indoor-outdoor beachfront dining areas, where guests can dine under the stars.

New Life

North Island has been joined in the Seychelles by a second Marriott property, laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort. Set on the shores of Anse Royale on the Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé, laïla aims to provide a rejuvenating experience that draws on the energy of the island and its flourishing flora and fauna.

“The Seychelles is blessed with such a diverse abundance of nature,” says the hotel’s general manager, Jason Marques. “Its natural aura forces you to take a few steps back, breathe and let loose. The inspiration from our natural surroundings is reflected within laïla through artwork, the use of natural elements, and a diverse range of endemic, culinary and medicinal plants around the property. We are now looking at projects that will allow a balanced cohabitation between responsible development and sustainable tourism.”

Luxurious accommodations that draw inspiration from the nature outside are joined by a rejuvenating spa and a restaurant, bar and deli that channel the rich variety of food and drink found locally. Through its experiential offerings, the resort endeavors to connect guests with the island and encourages exploration of local sites, like the capital, Victoria; the village life of Anse Royale; and the hiking trails of Morne Seychellois National Park, which covers more than 20 percent of Mahé.

The resort, which believes that its presence on the island comes with great responsibility, has a number of initiatives to continue to ensure a positive impact. These include setting up a portfolio of conservation and community projects, such as coral conservation, the rehabilitation of an adjacent marsh and a school program. In addition, guests will be able to learn about the endemic plants growing throughout the property on guided tours.

Representative of the Seychelles’ approach to regenerative tourism, the two properties provide an eco-conscious base for getting to know, and helping preserve, some of this wonderful, nature-abundant archipelago.