Eco-Conscious Holidays

Discover Sustainable Ways To Explore The World And Support Local Communities

- Rupali Dean

Many of us already lead ecoconscious lives. We opt for reusable coffee cups, favour public transport, shun single-use plastics, and choose green energy providers. Yet, we must not forget the significant impact of our holidays. Fortunately, there are myriad ways to explore the world responsibly, often contributing to local communities.

RESEARCH WHILE BOOKING

In the quest for responsible travel, it boils down to this: I, the traveller, must diligently research. Seeking a hotel or tour operator with a sustainability badge may appear promising, yet the reality proves more complex. There exist approximately several certification labels within the tourism sphere, each claiming to vouch for the eco-friendly merits of a hotel, eatery, tour organiser, or even a destination. Despite the growing waste crisis, major cities like Barcelona and Chicago fail to lead by example. Sonu Shivdasani’s Soneva resorts, comprising Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, Soneva Kiri in Thailand, and Soneva in Aqua (a yacht), stand apart from congested urban centres. Labelling them as merely eco-friendly would be an understatement. Since 1995, Sonu and Eva established their inaugural Maldivian hotel, honing their ‘Slow Life’ philosophy over 25 years. Their brand embodies subtle opulence, striking architecture, barefoot living, and a deep eco-consciousness. In 1998, they initiated a ban on plastic straws, and by 2008, halted bottled water imports, opting for in-house filtration and bottling in recyclable glass, sparing 150,000 plastic bottles. Soneva’s water enterprise generates around $90,000 yearly, funding 500+ freshwater projects in 50+ nations, providing 750,000+ people with clean water. Additionally, each Soneva resort hosts its Waste-to-Wealth facility, reclaiming 90% of waste through innovative management.