Sustainable Seychelles – how you as a tourist to the Islands of schüappreciate can [10 TIPS]

Sustainable tourism knows no aircraft moving in the direction of the South, and no cruise ships that bring hundreds of tourists to small Islands in the Indian ocean. However, it is also as a tourist is possible to act in a sustainable and environmentally conscious.

Üeverywhere we read words like "sustainability", "gentle travel" or "Sustainable tourism", because – as we all know – anyone who travels, is detrimental to the environment. This is a fact. Even alone, the use of a means of transport such as airplane, car or cruise ship represents a significant factor, and generates the greenhouse gas CO₂ in much too large quantities.

The result: The earth heats up, the ice at the poles melts and the coasts threaten to sink in the sea. So also in the Seychelles already measures in place to protect the Islands. Stone beaches, and Islands are meant to protect the walls against erosion, and even now the tide is high partly frightening.

Who loves to travel, do not want to do without it, however, and not destinations such as the Seychelles would be otherwise we would not even accessible. Nevertheless, you can trade even during a stay in a sustainable and the destination protect. Who is on-site, should adhere to certain rules and adapt. Many things are not like in Germany and it never will be.

Everyone can make a personal contribution, and Good for the environment & nature to do.

What Sustainable tourism is?

Sustainable tourism (also called eco-tourism) is a Form of travel, the following three main concerns:

1. as little as possible to the travelled nature, influence, or harm her,
2. the nature as original and intense experience
3. the culture of the country being toured as much as the.

Definition of the world tourism organization (UNWTO):

"Tourism contributes to the current and future economic, social and environmental impacts fully into account and the needs of the guests, the industry that takes account of the environment as the indigenous population."

How can I act as a tourist in the Seychelles, a sustainable and eco-conscious?

10 tips for every feasible

1. The Arrival

Even if you can't make the flight are reversed, so today it is possible to compensate for the CO₂ emissions. There are renowned agencies, such as Atmosfair. Calculate a contribution, depending on the flight distance, fuel consumption and seat class, the transferred then, and by the Agency for a climate protection project can be used.

For a flight to the Seychelles, for example, 81 Euro (from Frankfurt in Economy Class). On the website there is a Tool that calculates the value of the carbon footprint and other emissions compares. My flight to the Seychelles in my result is a CO₂-Emission of 4.172 kg. In comparison, a Pro is, according to atmosfair-head-year mission in India at 1,600 kg or a year to drive a car with the middle-class car at 2,300 kg. After determining this, you can transfer the contribution and thus the supported climate protection projects.

The opinions split, however, about this procedure. In any case, the impression should be conveyed that anyone compensated for all of the flights, so much can fly how he wants. The compensation does not change the fact that the greenhouse gases are released into the air. And who would like to make it quite right, remains the best on the ground.

Still, it's better than nothing, because the money is invested in climate protection projects that reduce CO2 emissions, including all-around wind power, water power, Biogas, solar energy, environmental education, and energy efficiency.

• The carbon footprint is determined and the flight to compensate for
• What makes Atmos fair?

What can I consider when flying still?

• Short distances, e.g., the weekend trip to Madrid), avoid (
• Direct flights prefer, as they emit less CO2
• Longer stays to plan, so instead of a week to the Seychelles, preferring the annual vacation to spend there
• When possible, alternative means of transport on soil use, e.g. Bus or train

2. Local and seasonal products shopping

Who makes the holiday in the Seychelles, should buy local and seasonal products. Local fruits and vegetables there is certainly in the fruit-woman on the roadside. Often, however, not in the big supermarkets. If you buy fruit and vegetables there, you should definitely pay attention to the origin.

Perfect-looking and bright orange oranges – so we off the shelves in Germany – come not from the Seychelles, but are imported. The same is true for wine grapes, or other fruits and vegetables in the supermarket. Who is not sure, should ask the employee to or after the weigh-in look at the label, because that is where the products are usually marked with "IMP".

Also in the case of many other products, attention should be paid to the origin. To save, of course, money, since imports are much more expensive than local products, but also to support the Seychelles as a country in a sustainable manner. Products such as Nutella, Snickers, Nestle Cornflakes should be banished entirely from shopping cart. The origin is always on the label is recognizable.

3. Waste separation

The separation of Waste in the Seychelles is a very big Problem. I also notice on the island of La Digue. Everything ends up in a single garbage can, no matter what. This is then brought weekly picked up and taken to the garbage dump in the island's interior. The pick-up of bulky waste is rare, but it does take place. The bulky goods will be picked up from your home, to the landfill, stored, and regularly from a large container ship picked up. The household waste remains on the island and everything is included, what is the Seychellois, or of the tourists throws in the bin.

On the main Islands, there are landfill sites, one on La Digue on Praslin and Mahé. Everything that is picked up by the garbage trucks lands. The landfills are encountering today, however, their limits, so the reaches on La Digue will soon be your Maximum, and also the currently used landfill on Mahé, which is supposed to hold 8 to 10 years, now only 4 years. The government has 4 years to worry about where the next landfill will not be built, if Recycling is finally a theme. The local newspaper “Today in Seychelles” has recently reported the first about it (you can read about here).

The Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism Association (SHTA) is supposed to shortly introduce the bags in which holiday makers to your plastic garbage collect (for example, sun cream bottles) and at the end of the holiday back home. But even without these official bags: What speaks against it to take the plastic garbage back home with you? The Same is true for empty batteries or other packing material, what you bring from Germany.

Organic Food Scraps

The property has a dog or a cat? Super, then ask the staff whether you can give the leftover food. The animals are happy here are very particular about it, especially because they get no canned food. Leftover rice can be. the birds are feeding, waiting for you for In any case, the food scraps should be in public trash cans thrown, as they attract rats.

PE Flat

For each PE-Flat 50 cents at selected locations (Providence, Anse Royale, St Louis, Praslin and La Digue). Who would not want to take away his bottle, you should collect them all in a bag and just next to a trash can on the street. It will not take long, until you take a Local pick up and the bottles – after all, it is money.

Glass

Seybrew bottles can be returned to the nearest Shop for 2 rupees Deposit. Also other locally produced bottles are accepted in many shops. These are then used by the brewery again.

Old canning jars are used by the population like, for example, for spices in the kitchen or candles. Sustainability for Seychelles and LWMA (Land Waste Management Agency) to work on a glass crushing and recycling project.

4. Reusable water bottles benefit

Generally, PET bottles, so the are in the supermarket, in sizes of 0.5 or 1 l should be avoided. The bottles end up after you are exhausted and the heat here is very fast – directly in the barrel.

According to the Department of health the tap water in the Seychelles is safe to drink and can be bottled. Nevertheless, you should leave the faucet after the Screw is quite short-run, since the lines are often decalcified in between, (to white water) or Work to be carried out on the lines (see brown water).

Alternatively, some accommodations provide (usually guest houses) drinking water dispensers, which can be equipped with a 25 l water canister. This should be enough for a whole holiday on the island, and the canisters are used in the connection.

An Alternative to the 5 l of drinking water canister, which can be used to the water in the brought-in aluminum bottles are. This is also much healthier because the chemicals of the plastic – solve, especially in the heat of the Seychelles and in the drinking water to settle out.

5. Plastic bags avoid

Plastic bags are also a big Problem in the world, and of course in the Seychelles. You land just about anywhere and often you see them even in the sea drift.

On plastic bags, it is therefore necessary to refrain generally. Best to take home a jute bag or buys locally and uses it during the stay for the shopping. It should generally be no plastic bags accepted, even if they are published in the transactions, often automatically. In the largest supermarkets, such as the STC, you have been fortunately relegated now completely out of the range.

6. On straws dispense

When ordering drinks should be advised of the waiver of straws. This will be used once for a maximum period of 20 minutes, and afterwards do not quit – harmful to the environment, to do it. In addition, the land not just in the garbage bin, but unfortunately often also in the sea. Always turtles to be freed from the nose of plug-ends of the culms. You do not want to imagine how many die to do it.

Each of us should consider, therefore, do I need to have my drink really a straw? Can't I just drink from the glass?

7. To reduce water consumption

Many know it not, but in the dry season, for example, last March, were the Locals between 9 and 15 o'clock often the water is turned off, to save, or because it very nearly was.

Also in the case of a holiday in the Seychelles, as at home, should deal sparingly with the resources of water and electricity. This of course applies to everyone, whether Local or tourists.

That is for the use of water:

• short showers rather than long,
• the faucet would not turn off, if it is used, for example, when brushing your teeth,
• the towel in the property, not daily, but only every couple of days change

... and of power:

• the lamps will not turn off when it's not needed necessarily,
• the air-conditioning only in a minimal extent, better even it is also better for the health,
• the outlets will not turn off when you use them. A small switch is located at each outlet.

8. Local artists, craftsmen and brands support

On the Seychelles there are incredibly many local artists, offering Souvenirs, pictures, or other self-made products around the island of Paradise. In the larger Shops or supermarkets, much of it is imported, because the Seychelles then it is indeed“”, but “made in China”. When buying Souvenirs, you should pay attention therefore absolutely to the origin, or only in the shops of local artists to buy.

Caution: In no case you should buy shells or coral. These are often fished alive from the sea, in order to offer them in the shops.

Products from local artists there are in the Seychelles, for example here:

• Craft Kiosks
  On the Islands there are small wooden houses, the so-called Craft Kiosks where local artists sell their goods, for example, the “SENPA – Esplanade Craft Kiosks” in Victoria on Mahé (Francis Rachel Rd) or on La Digue (direct if you turn from the port motorway to the left)
• Red Coral
  This local brand produces cups and T-Shirts and other nice things about the Seychelles, in various Shops on the three main Islands, for example, in Victoria (Mahé) in Campion Hall, or on La Digue.
• Domaine de Val Prés – Craft village
  Local artists sell here in various wood houses products around the Seychelles.
  Au Cap, E Coast Road, Mahe, Mon-Fri 9-17, Sat 9-13 Clock
• Campion Hall
  In this hall, right in the middle of Victoria shops of many artists, including Creole, Pineapple Studio, Red Coral, as well as various souvenir shops wait.
  Albert Street, Victoria, Mahé
• Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke market
  In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, there is also a good selection of spices (nice souvenir!), Coconut oil and Souvenirs.
  Mahé, Victoria, tgl. until the afternoon (except Sundays)
• Silvin Jewellery
  Self-made bracelets and necklaces with beads or other things from nature sold Silvin in a small hut directly at the beginning of the Anse Source d'argent.
  Anse Source d'argent, La Digue (except Sundays)

In addition to locally produced products are also natural Alternatives are suitable as Souvenirs:

• Spices such as saffron, cinnamon, chilli, nutmeg
• Vanilla pods
• Coconut oil or other products from coconut
• Black tea or Vanilletee (both in the tea factory on Mahé produced)
• Jams, for example, Golden Apple or banana

9. Volunteer to be!

If you are interested in sustainable projects, can be in the Seychelles part of various projects as a Volunteer. This can be for several weeks, months, or even just for a day. Many organisations also offer guided tours, information and opportunities for yourself to become active. Here are a few examples:

• Wise Oceans: based on Mahé, Four Seasons Resort, they offer snorkeling tours, and activities for children around the theme of ocean conservation.
• Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (SCSS): snorkeling activities at Cerf Island, the information centre by the Banyan Tree Mahe and Schutzpatroullioen during the Meeeresschildkrötenbrutzeit on Mahe. Volunteers can help to patrol the beaches (data recording, turtle tagging, etc.)
• GVI Mahe & Curieuse: volunteer projects on Curieuse, Mahe (there can be 1-3 months spend and everything to the sea and nature to learn and help, the data for the Seychelles National Park Authority (SNPA) to raise)
• Sustainability 4 Seychelles (S4S): This organization has a lot of interesting projects, above all for the local population.
• Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF): a Foundation for sustainable tourism, the different stakeholders of the Tourism sector brings together to together on solutions for sustainable tourism to work. Also features collaborations with tour operators and training. In addition, a tourism conference is scheduled for November (more info soon)
• Some of the Islands was dedicated to the Ecotourism, such as Cousin or Bird Island