Green Destinations, unveils the winners of the top 100 Sustainable Top Destinations of the World Awards during ITB Berlin Leading Travel Trade Show

During ITB Berlin 2019, the island of Félicité was recognized as the second most sustainable destination in Africa in the Best of The Planet category by Green Destinations of the Sustainable Top 100 Destinations Award.

Green Destinations, a nonprofit foundation for sustainable tourism, organizes the award event to recognize innovation and sustainable operations in the industry, globally. For the second consecutive year, the winners were announced during ITB Berlin, the annual worldwide leading trade show.

Félicité Island is the fifth largest island in the Seychelles archipelago. Six Senses Zil Pasyon is run in close relation with the Seychelles National Park Authority, since Félicité Island is part of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) and two-thirds of the island consists of Ramos National Park.

Anna Zora, sustainability manager of Six Senses Zil Pasyon, said, “We are very proud that our small island paradise has been recognized for the commitment to sustainable development and conservation initiatives. Our key projects include island reforestation, turtle monitoring and coral restoration in addition to our zero waste and a series of important plastic-free initiatives. One project we take a lot of pride in, is the rehabilitation of the island’s habitat through the reintroduction of endemic and indigenous species and the protection of the coco de mer site, which is only found in the Seychelles. Last year, the critically-endangered Wright’s gardenia endemic to Seychelles bloomed for the first time on Félicité. This is one of the species noted in the extensive reforestation effort of which 12 are considered Vulnerable, four Endangered, and three Critically Endangered according to IUCN’s Red List of Endangered Species. Guests not only enjoy a tropical island stay with us, but they also share the responsibility to offset their carbon footprint.”

An international jury, with representatives of the tourism, ecotourism and conservation industry, reviews the submissions of The Sustainable Top 100 Destinations Award and pinpoint the destinations which pioneer responsible tourism in different parts of the world. 

General Manager Hilton Hastings says, “It is an incredible honor to be recognized worldwide for our environmental efforts, making us one of the top sustainable destinations of the world. The fact that a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean can make such an impact is amazing and it also comes with a lot of hard work from our team. I’m delighted that more and more guests are seeking destinations like ours and want to learn more about how they can implement similar practices when home.”

With guided snorkeling tours on the surrounding reefs and educational hikes that not only offer stunning views of the island, but insights on the local fauna and flora, guests of the resort can connect with the unique nature and scenery of the Seychelles.

For more information about Six Senses Zil Pasyon and Six Senses Spa Zil Pasyon, please contact the reservations department at https://www.sixsenses.com/resorts/zilpasyon/destination or call +248 4671000. 

About Six Senses Zil Pasyon

Six Senses Zil Pasyon is located on the private island of Félicité, the fifth largest island in Seychelles, offering unsurpassed vistas of the ocean and surrounding islands. This 30-villa and two multi-bedroom residence resort occupies one third of the total land and has been brilliantly designed to embrace the picturesque landscape of untouched beauty. 

About Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is one of the world’s leading operators of luxury hotels, resorts and spas, managing 18 hotels and resorts across 14 countries, plus 37 spas under the brand names Six Senses, Evason, Six Senses Spas and Raison d’Etre. There are a further 18 hotels and resorts signed into its development pipeline. In February 2019, Six Senses became part of the IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) family of hotel brands. 

Six Senses properties share a leadership commitment to community, sustainability, wellness and design, infused with a touch of quirkiness. Whether an exquisite island resort, mountain retreat or urban hotel, the enduring purpose is to help people reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them.

Visit http://www.sixsenses.com to learn more

Building upon the success of Laamu’s first ever inter-island Turtle Festival in 2016, the entire community recently came together for the second Laamu Turtle Festival. The event took place on the local island of Gan, and was jointly organized by the Gan Island Council, Laamu Atoll Police Department and Six Senses Laamu. This year’s theme was once again Turtles in Laamu – Safe and Protected, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of sea turtles and providing a platform for community engagement about greater marine conservation.

Six Senses Laamu recognizes the ecological importance of sea grass habitats and pledges to play a more active role in the conservation of sea grass beds around the resort island and in the Laamu Atoll.

What better way to say goodbye to the stresses of modern life than by escaping to another century on a classic Omani dhow? Inspired by the word, dhahab, which means golden in Arabic, this handcrafted vessel is reminiscent of the golden age of Arabian voyages as it cruises the rugged Musandam fjords at a comfortable 10 knots.

In July 2016 the Resident Marine Biologists at Six Senses Laamu implemented a new code of conduct on how to sustainably snorkel and dive with turtles, ensuring that every encounter is a positive interaction and that it does not affect the natural behavior and movements of the turtle. With this in mind, they began compiling a database of turtle sightings from the dive and snorkel sites around the Laamu atoll, via a simple photographic identification process.