On a small island in the Indian Ocean with a population of just 1.26 million, tourism is not simply an industry, it is the economic backbone. Which is why what is happening in Mauritius today is both interesting and important: conservation has moved from the margins to the mainstream.Luxury hotels are leading the shift. Almost all the top-tier resorts are deeply invested in protecting the ecosystems that sustain them — through scientific research, full-time marine biologists, structured education programmes, and long-term ecological restoration.The green planSince the Sustainable Island Mauritius Project was launched in 2008, tourism operators have implemented wide-ranging eco-friendly measures. These include banning single-use plastics, wastewater recycling, food waste reduction, mangrove rehabilitation, sea turtle protection projects, and development of eco-friendly accommodation. Mauritius is now working towards achieving a Green Destinations label by 2030.“Sustainability has to be a core pillar,” says Anand Shekhawat, a keen watcher of conservation efforts worldwide, former global head of sustainability for Aman Resorts and founder of Sariska Lodge in Rajasthan. “The subject is vast, making it important for organisations to engage with sustainability managers who work on areas ranging from water, air, soil, flora and fauna, to communities and education.”