Sustainable tourism: beaches around the world

AND established: the life of the planet begins with the seas, which cover over two-thirds of its surface, and its health cannot be separated from theirs. They ensure the oxygen we breathe, supply the food we eat, and play an important role in regulating the climate. Rising temperatures, overexploitation, plastic pollution are putting a strain on the oceans. And from this point of view, even the world of sustainable tourism can do its part.

World Oceans Day is celebrated on 8 Juneofficially recognized by the United Nations, but public opinion needs to be made every day aware of the risks of plastic pollution, sustainable management of fisheries and the destruction of marine habitats. Each of us has, in his own small way, the duty to do his part in safeguarding. Even while travelling, choosing places and structures that have an eye on sustainability.

Sustainable tourism: in the company of dolphins

It is the oldest and wildest island of the Aeolian Islands, ideal for those who love nature and silence. And the sea, being Filicudi rich in sites such as stacks, caves, oceanic posidonia meadows. The non-profit association Filicudi Wildlife Conservationwhich deals with the study and conservation of marine resources, especially turtles, with an emergency room dedicated to them, also involves tourists who want an alternative holiday.

You don’t give up on relaxation, but, in the meantime, cetaceans and turtles are monitored with boat trips, dolphins are sighted, the seabed is discovered together with biologists and a stop is made at the Grotta del Bue Marino, former refuge of the monk seal, of which today there is no longer a trace, but you can admire the beautiful play of light in the place. Part of the private sector of luxury hospitality also moves together with Italian environmental associations.

Like the Pellicano Hotels Group, headed by Marie-Louise Sciò, which supports Marevivo for the “Adopt a beach” campaign, dealing with cleanup, i.e. cleaning, monitoring and protection of those near their three hotels: the Pellicano in Porto Ercole, the Mezzatorre in Ischia and La Posta Vecchia in Palo Laziale.

«The beach and the sea are not environments to be experienced only in the summer months, thanks to their biodiversity they must be protected all year round. Thanks to the commitment of Pellicano Hotels last year we managed to collect over 280 kilos of waste» says Raffaella Giugni of Marevivo. The most unthinkable. Not only plastic, glass or iron, but also undifferentiated products, such as nets, cots and even ski boots. «They are tangible actions for the care of the territories that host us and that we live in everyday life.

We have studied a sustainability programme, “Dolce Far Bene”, which reflects the ethics for an honest luxury and for a more responsible way of travelling. Everyone’s task is to preserve the beauty and uniqueness of the natural ecosystems that surround us» adds Marie-Louise Sciò.

Sustainable tourism Belize: good practices overseas

Abroad, collaboration with environmental associations is standard practice for the most sustainable hotels. Like Turtle Inn, the eco lodge in Belize with the Preferred Hotel Group’s Beyond Green brand: it belongs to director Francis Ford Coppola who, with his team, focuses on preserving the environment of this tiny country famous for its biodiversity. Notable is their engagement with marine conservation groups, such as SEABelize, MarAlliance and Fragments of Hope, dedicated to the restoration of corals, but also in the cleaning of beaches, including Placencia, and in the protection of the reef from voracious Lionfish, which, especially non-native marine predator, threatens the life of all other fish. Even the One & Only Reethi Rah resort, “beautiful island” in the local language, in theMaldivian atoll of North Malé, with 12 pristine beaches and six kilometers of shoreline, it is very active in saving the ocean by protecting the reef with a Coral Farming program that has made it one of the best places to spot hawksbill turtles.

It also houses a turtle rehabilitation center, curated by biologist Joe Rigby, where they spend the final months of their recovery before heading out to open water again. It also collaborates with the non-profit organization Parley for the Oceans and has collected over 2,876 kilos of plastic from the water for upcycling and recycling initiatives by international partners such as Adidas. Instead, fishing nets and plastic waste from the ocean become soccer goals for children: a project by the non-profit organization of the Sandals Resorts International brand, the Sandals Foundation, in collaboration with the Dutch soccer team of the AFC Ajax to launch Future Goals. The program is one of many in place on theisland of Curaçao, in the Netherlands Antilleswhere Sandals Royal Curaçao is located, a new Luxury Included resort.

Sustainable tourism from the Caribbean to Mozambique

Supporting the research is Kisawa Sanctuary, 300 hectares of quiet beach and coastal forest in Benguerra, with one of the richest subtropical ecosystems in the Indian Ocean and marine species such as humpback whales, killer whales, rays, whale sharks, turtles, marlins and many resident dolphins. The research is carried out by Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS), the first permanent oceanic observatory in Africa, affiliated with and near the resort, founded by the same owner, the young Nina Flohr: a marriage in which hospitality contributes to science, from protecting the sea to monitoring climate change, up to unprecedented experiences, such as identifying sharks from the deck of the BCSS ship. Known as a “resort to research”, the Kisawa is the first structure in the world with its own research center and, therefore, an active and daily approach to the sea. Very popular with guests.

Eco virtuous navigations

But there are also those who contribute by surfing. Rascal Voyages, a company that operates in Indonesia, rents boats in Southeast Asia, offers the possibility of deepening the knowledge of the environment, with attention to marine flora and fauna, also thanks to the presence of a marine biologist on board, Lisa D ‘Silva. The rest is made up of adventure, snorkelling and diving alongside rare marine species.

In Italy, the One Ocean Foundation, created by the will of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (we talk about other initiatives of the Foundation on page 42), has launched an environmental sustainability project that has involved over three thousand people, of whom 700 are young people. The association is steered by Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo, famous for his sailing exploits. The consortium also manages the beaches, cleaning them every day and taking care of the posidonia: at the beginning of the bathing season, what settles there in winter is not taken away (it would mean eliminating tons of sand), rather moved to the back of the beach, and repositioned in October on the shoreline, so that in winter the posidonia barrier remains intact: a good protection for the beach from sea erosion.

Another project concerns the reforestation of Posidonia in the Marine Protected Area of ​​the Island of Bergeggi in Liguria, where the divers plant the cuttings on the seabed. Because this marine plant is an indispensable presence: it absorbs CO2, produces oxygen, gives home to many marine species, dampens the effect of wave motion and safeguards the seabed. Like a lung of the sea. Not much.

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