Attitude Hotels has launched a new ‘Positive Impact’ movement. The Mauritian hotel group has always had a strong commitment to sustainability and this new movement will go even further to offer holidays that support the island’s economy, protect the environment and care for the local community.
The movement, which launched this July has been in the planning for a year. It sets out a sustainable development strategy for all eight Attitude Hotels and Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel in Mauritius.
The movement encourages a collective approach, inviting both guests and business partners to help make a difference and create the sustainable holiday experience of the future. It goes beyond the holiday experience, too, ensuring Attitude Hotels has a positive impact on society and inspires other companies to make a difference and ensure tourism benefits all.
The Zilwa Attitude Hôtel
The group’s hotels include the eco-committed Lagoon Attitude, which has acted as a prototype for the future vision of the company. The hotel has eliminated all single-use plastic from the guest experience, offering a help-yourself Bulk Shop where customers can stock up on tea, coffee, sugar and water for their rooms.
A zero single-use plastic policy will be rolled out to the remaining eight hotels by 1st November 2020.
The Positive Impact movement also includes initiatives such as funding small Mauritian companies, supporting local craftsmanship and giving the island’s musicians, artists and photographers the chance to showcase their talents within the hotels.
Attitude Group also strives to source local food, fund university scholarships and encourage guests to experience an authentic slice of Mauritius with its Otentik Experiences, which include having dinner with a local family.
Jean-Michel Pitot, CEO of Attitude, says: ‘Tourism should benefit the whole island and do good, even after the holiday is over. Where attitudes have changed, sustainability credentials will be key to winning clients back in the post-covid era. It isn’t easy and we don’t have all the answers, but we do have the drive to innovate and lead the change.
‘As well as our desire to preserve the island’s cultural and environmental heritage, we want to bring about a change in behaviour and raise awareness. The movement intends to unite guests, our partners and the wider tourism industry to follow a model for sustainable development.’
The hotel group has several key focus areas:
Protecting the environment
• Funding the Marine Discovery Centre at Lagoon Attitude, employing two full-time scientists to study and preserve the lagoon’s mangroves, seagrass beds and corals, with the mission to slow down erosion. The centre educates the community and hotel guests.
• Encouraging suppliers to consider a better environmental footprint. Attitude asked its linen supplier to come up with a solution to delivering fresh linen in single-use plastic. It is now delivered in reusable bags.
• Inviting guests to sign a Positive Impact charter on arrival. This asks guests to educate themselves about the island’s culture, customs and local traditions; keep the island clean; and buy local souvenirs for a fair price, rather than imported goods. This charter will be rolled out to all hotels in 2020.
• A zero single-use plastic commitment in the guest experience will be rolled out to all hotels by 1 November 2020.
Supporting the local economy
• Funding small local businesses if they align with Attitude’s sustainable and economic values. The first company to benefit is Kokodezil, offering handmade organic beauty products using only natural ingredients found locally.
• Sourcing food locally, unless it cannot be grown or produced on the island. Farmers Mr and Mrs Mayaven grow the hotels’ salad and vegetables, supporting jobs for 20 people in a small Mauritian village; and Mr and Mrs Chetty prepare all of the traditional dholl puris offered in the hotels’ street food vans, giving guests an authentic taste of Mauritian home cooking.
• Employing local people, using local suppliers and promoting local products that have been created in Mauritius. This commitment made Attitude the first and only service company in the hospitality industry to be awarded the ‘Made in Moris’ accolade.
Caring for the local community
• Attitude has been awarded a ‘Great Place to Work’ and will continue to help Family Members (staff) develop professionally and personally. Company initiatives include a university scholarship grant for a child of one of the Attitude Family Members per year.
• Guests are encouraged to experience an authentic slice of Mauritius through its Otentik experiences. These include having dinner with a local family, where 100% of the cost goes directly to the hosting family.
• Attitude supports local talent. Mauritian craftspeople are commissioned to make the furniture, despite it costing more than imports from China or Bali. The hotels are decorated using creations from local artists and photographers; and Attitude Hotels holds an annual music competition, giving Mauritian musicians the platform to grow and win the production of an album and music video. Many of the musicians perform at Attitude Hotels, giving guests the chance to hear up-and-coming talent.
The Positive Impact movement builds on the success of the group’s Green Attitude programme (launched in 2010) and the Otentik Experiences (launched in 2012).
This is the ‘year of acceleration’ for Attitude Hotels and the new Positive Impact movement sets the company’s future goal to help guests discover the authentic Mauritius and, in the future, other countries and cultures, with the same harmonious development that is respectful of the environment and economic development. To take the company forward, the group’s new core value is: Attitude, committed to tourism with a positive impact.
Image credit: Facebook/Attitude Hotels
