A rich playground of ideas, set against a vast and diverse terrain, Bel Ombre aims to become a resilient region, and a hotspot for ecotourism. Based on three main pillars, “Lamer. Later. Lavi.” (Sea. Land. Life.), the region’s ambitious manifesto offers a compelling overview of its aspiration to provide a sustainable future for all.
Sea.
Bel Ombre has come a long way since 2015 when intensive work to protect the lagoon and its various stakeholders (including local fishermen, villagers, and the NGO, Reef Conservation) began.
Reef Conservation now monitors the rehabilitation of the lagoon’s biodiversity, and work is under way to achieve the prestigious Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) designation. The group aims to ensure that the lagoon is protected by regional stakeholders, with the goal of restoring a healthy marine environment that can serve as an incubator, as well as a breeding and feeding ground, for the species that live in it. The installation of ten artificial reef modules has enabled notable regeneration of corals in the Bel Ombre lagoon, and a record twenty new fish species have been identified!
The sea is a priceless ecosystem for which we are all responsible. The future Lagoon Co-Management Committee (which includes local fishermen, coastal village residents and representatives of Reef Conservation and Rogers Hospitality) will continue to support this idea by promoting the work of local communities to guests at Heritage Resorts. The stunning beauty of the abundant marine life is an immense source of pride for the region!
Land.
Globally recognised, the Green Key certification was obtained for the fourth consecutive year in 2020, reflecting the efforts of Heritage Resorts. This eco-label is awarded to tourism and leisure establishments that are committed to adhering to the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education, and is a tourism industry benchmark. The Heritage Resorts environmental team leverages this certification to continue to promote a combination of high-quality service and sustainable experiences, while reducing the environmental impact of the brand’s hotels. The Green Key label also requires the implementation of new sustainable operating procedures, including the use of new technologies.
Alongside these efforts, other initiatives continue in the Bel Ombre area. The Macchabée-Bel Ombre region was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1977 by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. Thanks to this programme, nature is more than a mere ecosystem in Bel Ombre, with nature-based activities designed to raise biodiversity awareness among Mauritians and visitors, as well as the recreation of an ecological corridor by reforesting the banks of the Jacotet River, among other projects designed to allow life in all its forms to thrive.
In terms of way of life, there is no better reflection of a region than its terroir. This has even more significance than usual in Bel Ombre; the region’s terroir fosters a wealth of character that allows Heritage Resorts’ chefs the chance to unleash their creativity to prepare a wide range of delightful dishes. Local and seasonal produce have taken centre stage as far as gastronomy is concerned – a real gamble for the hotel industry, but one that should quickly pay off. Heritage Resorts is committed to this path, and will source 100% of its fruit and vegetables, seafood, poultry, and meat from Mauritian producers, farmers, and suppliers by 2022, and will give preference to partners from the region for other products.
Life.
The best waste is waste that is not generated, and Bel Ombre is working hard to move towards a circular economy. Objectives include managing 75% of the waste produced in the region by 2022, banning all single-use plastics from the region’s hotels by the end of that same year; and achieving a target of 80% of the region’s energy coming from renewable resources by 2025.
A vast awareness-raising campaign is underway across Rogers Hospitality’s operational departments, and among the people of the region, to promote repairing, recycling and reusing items rather than throwing them away. Upstream production and consumption patterns are being reconsidered to optimise the use of natural resources. This long-term project is already showing promising results, e.g., 100% of wastewater is now used for irrigation.
The Rogers Group is active on various fronts to uphold its commitment to supporting the development of the region. The Group employs nearly 20% of the workforce in Bel Ombre and Rogers Hospitality and other subsidiaries use local contractors for 84% of their needs. Surplus food from the hotels is redistributed to help needy families through the NGO, FoodWise. Associations like Caritas and Lovebridge also provide locals with material,
educational, psychological, and health support. Finally, hospitality training is offered through the Heritage Resorts Academy. The aim of the Rogers Group is to make a difference that has a lasting impact on the region.
On another level, the region is on a quest to become a space in which all can live and interact. This enthusiastic vision is built around some positive initiatives, including the roll-out of “edutainment” initiatives, such as immersive museum experiences that allow people to learn in a fun way; another initiative has seen new life breathed into the Place du Moulin, now a place for discovery and interaction between craftspeople, local merchants and artists. In other words, a true space for living, where learning and sharing of knowledge can thrive!
