Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has been honoured with Travelife’s prestigious Gold Certificate for their exceptional commitment to sustainable tourism practices. This recognition is largely attributed to the brand’s dedicated efforts in protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and preserving the beauty of the destinations they operate in.
Travelife is a renowned global sustainability certification body that adheres to the accreditation standards of The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). GSTC is an independent and impartial organisation that brings together a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals, and communities, all working towards achieving the best practices in sustainable tourism. The certification requirements cover various aspects, such as emissions, biodiversity, human rights, fair labour, child safeguarding, and animal welfare.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has taken up the mission to minimise its environmental impacts across various areas, including energy consumption, water usage, waste management, wastewater treatment, handling hazardous substances, and preserving biodiversity. Their commitment to sustainability aims to protect the natural beauty of these destinations for the benefit of future generations.
Presently, all Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives, namely Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Cinnamon Hakuraa Hurra Maldives, and Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, have received the esteemed Travelife Gold Certification. This accolade underscores the holistic approach taken by the hotel chain to safeguarding the environment, supporting local communities, and preserving the unique character of the destinations they operate in.
In the face of escalating challenges posed by climate change, the Maldives has witnessed an increase in soil erosion, loss of beaches, and intrusion of saltwater into land and freshwater sources. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts plays a vital role in coral reef preservation, protecting 3% of the world’s coral reefs, including the seventh-largest reef system, claims the hotel chain. The brand also actively participates in marine habitat restoration by deploying Reef Cubes. Reef Cubes® (RCs) are versatile cube-like marine structures that protect subsea and coastal assets or can be used as moorings, but also intentionally benefit nature by providing a solid substrate and habitat complexity. Furthermore, their resorts contribute to biodiversity conservation through dedicated ocean data collection and collaboration with the Maldivian government’s national data collection initiatives.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives and Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon have illustrated creativity by repurposing discarded wood, plastic cans, and barrels into herb and vegetable beds. This creates a sustainable food production system within the resort. On the other hand, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives have undertaken several initiatives, such as tree planting, coral propagation, and educational sessions with environmentalists and marine experts, to explore ways of reusing, repurposing, and recycling materials.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to sustainable practices sets an exemplary standard for the hospitality industry in the Maldives. This showcases how responsible tourism can play a pivotal role in preserving the environment and supporting local communities. The hotel chain further states that taking a sustainability-first approach to hospitality is not only responsible but also rewarding.