Rogers Hospitality is a leading hospitality management company at the forefront of luxury resorts in Mauritius. While guests relax, sustainability is ever-present in its efforts to protect, preserve and promote the Indian Ocean nation's fragile ecosystem. Head of Sustainable Development Alexandre Piat and Communications Executive Sara Pierre spoke to Andy Probert, shedding light on how the company is giving nature a helping hand.
Stepping off a plane into the African heat and beauty of Mauritius, the last thing a holiday visitor thinks of is the sustainability of their hotel. Like an excellent concierge, where outstanding service is done silently and with a smile, Rogers Hospitality thinks about sustainability. It puts the ecosystem first and foremost.
Employing 2,000 people at 17 leisure and hospitality brands across the island nation, from five-star and golf resorts to boutique hotels plus quick-service, leisure activities and luxury restaurants, the company is one of the few in the global hospitality industry with a sustainability department.
Heading up the nine-strong team, Head of Sustainable Development Alexandre Piat knows the challenges faced with achieving an ambitious brief to bring the environment into the hearts and minds of everyone within the company's orbit.
“Our brand has wrapped around the importance of sustainability,” said Sara Pierre, Communications Executive. “It is embedded in our DNA.”
Impact zones
One key example is La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Golf Club, a Louis Oosthuizen co-designed project. “Sustainability was introduced at the conception of the project rather than when it was fully operational,” Ms Pierre explained.
Nestled alongside a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, La Réserve offers farreaching views over tropical bays, sandy beaches and the Indian Ocean.
As part of Rogers Hospitality, Heritage Resorts & Golf is committed to ecology, short-circuit practices, a circular economy, community engagement and environmental protection. The strategy
also includes the use of solar heating water panels, voluntary marine wildlife protection, water recycling for future irrigation, waste management practices and reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
“Our efforts around La Réserve demonstrate our wider policy towards sustainability,” Mr Piat said. “We have adopted five impact zones focused on positively affecting Mauritius. These translate into our ‘Now for Tomorrow’ programme, a common vision for our different brands to pave the way for responsible hospitality.”
The impact zones comprise energy transition, biodiversity protection, circular economy, inclusive development and vibrant communities. “Across our sites,” he added, “we have also developed a unique carbon footprint calculation.”
For its Heritage Resorts, which advocates a low carbon stay, the strategy takes into account the emissions of the guest's stay. “We have engaged a Mauritian company to calculate a detailed footprint so we can more effectively manage our emissions, including Scopes 1, 2, and 3,” Mr Piat continued. “We can then find, develop and invest in solutions to offset these emissions.”
An initial step is to install two solar farms of 2MW each to cover 80% of consumption for Heritage Resorts & Golf.
Lagoon focus
Another evolving project has been to replant 2,000 indigenous trees on the banks of the River Jacotet, install ten artificial reefs at the Bel Ombre Lagoon and use 100% treated and reused water for irrigation across its hotel portfolio.
“Bel Ombre lagoon is a model of marine conservation for the country, and Heritage Resorts & Golf is committed to safeguarding it,” Mr Piat said.
The group has partnered with Reef Conservation, a Mauritian NGO, which has been monitoring the lagoon's
marine ecosystem and making recommendations to protect it. There are 5 species of seagrass native to Mauritius, and all of them can be found in the lagoon of Bel Ombre.
Corals and seagrass are vital to a healthy ecosystem. Seagrass meadows are important in slowing down beach erosion and providing cover for young fish. Coral habitats also help slow down beach erosion by protecting the shoreline against waves. They harbour various species of plants and animals and are a major food source for marine wildlife and humans.
As part of the cooperation, a centre dedicated to marine education will open to showcase the marine life in Bel Ombre and provide a deeper educational experience for guests and locals.
Heritage Resorts and others have also committed to respect the five knots speed limit. This corresponds to a speed of less than 10 km/h making it impossible for highspeed boat activities. Safety boats with motors can still operate, glass bottom and snorkelling sessions can still be carried out using the motors and boats moving around the lagoon must stick to that limit.
Eco-measures
A waste management system has been adopted by Heritage Resorts & Golf’s operations, enabling 67% of total waste
to be reused and significantly reduce landfill contributions.
“You cannot manage what you cannot measure,” Mr Piat explained. “It is imperative for us to monitor 12 different types of waste each month, realise that data and truly understand our impact in every conceivable manner.”
Other policies the group has adopted have resulted in 75% of its main suppliers being acknowledged and aligned with its responsible procurement policy, while progressively replacing single-use plastics across all its sites.
Rogers Hospitality sources over 60% of its food exclusively from Mauritian markets, and distributed nearly 19,000 meals to those in need, making a positive impact on food security and reducing food waste. Additionally, its hotel bath products are made from natural ingredients, and reusable containers are made from recycled plastic, ensuring over 510,000 single-use plastic containers are not discarded annually. Its skincare products are made from 96% natural ingredients and have recyclable packaging.
Inclusivity
Rogers Hospitality has wide-ranging projects that foster inclusive development with local people in many ways. “We strive to break down barriers and create pathways for growth, ensuring no one is left behind in our pursuit of a sustainable future,” Mr Piat said.
This approach is rooted in collaboration, engaging with local communities, organisations and stakeholders to co-create solutions that address their needs and aspirations. By promoting vibrant communities, Rogers Hospitality has supported local culture by promoting local music and crafts in its hotels. In collaboration with the Tamarin Village Council, the company was involved with a community project, Kouler Moris, which saw the creation of a mural in the main avenue in collaboration with artists and locals.
Through its Veranda Resorts brand, the company is overseeing the planting of local fruit trees on 1,300sqm of land with the aid of local farmers and schools, without the need to use fertilisers and chemicals.
Rogers Hospitality launched L'Atelier des Artisans, an initiative aimed at empowering local artisans by supporting their crafts, which are sold in the group's boutique in the resort.
As well as supporting a multi-week educational programme for children of fishing communities, the company is highly active in recruiting and training from local communities. Of its 2000 employees
around 95% are Mauritian. It also firmly supports local suppliers and partners, strengthening the supply value chain wherever possible.
“At Rogers Hospitality, we are impactdriven and embrace challenges and opportunities,” Mr Piat said, in conclusion. “Through initiatives, innovative partnerships and a shared vision, we are dedicated to creating positive change.” n
