Seychelles islands have long been praised for their unparalleled beauty and stunning natural attractions – a dream archipelago set in the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, just off the eastern coast of Africa. Comprised of 115 islands covered by lush tropical vegetation and boasting gorgeous sandy beaches, it’s no surprise that Seychelles has become a top tourist destination over the years, coveted by travellers all across the world.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the only visitors Seychelles received were the corsairs, pirates who conducted raids on enemy ships on behalf of the French Crown and used the islands as a hideout. In the 1800s, the British took over Seychelles and its population significantly increased, but it wasn’t until a new international airport was built in the ‘70s that the rest of the world discovered this hidden tropical gem.
This marked the beginning of Seychelles’ thriving tourism industry which continues to play an essential role in the country’s economy. In 2019, Seychelles recorded a total of around 428 thousand international tourist arrivals that added some 618 million U.S. dollars to the local economy.
However, Seychelles’ tourism industry is not just a money-making machine as it happens in many other corners of the world. With over 50% of the archipelago’s surface protected by law, 14 Marine Protected Areas, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Aldabra Atoll and Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Seychelles places a great emphasis on sustainability and environmental conservation in relation to tourism. Balancing nature and leisure industry on the islands means that Seychelles’ unique biodiversity remains unspoiled and can be enjoyed by generations to come.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon supports environmental conservation on Felicite Island
Seychelles offers a great example of how tourism and nature conservation can co-exist, being the first country in the world to include conservation efforts in its constitution. The focus on sustainability is also highlighted by one of the boldest projects developed on the islands in the past few years – the Six Senses Zil Pasyon luxury resort located on Felicite Island, about 30 nautical miles from the main island of Mahé.
While environmental protection actions are prevalent across the islands, Six Senses Zil Pasyon stands out due to its unique approach and the immense popularity it enjoys among tourists. The construction of this one-of-a-kind resort offers quite an interesting story that we’re going to resume for you here.
Despite its stunning beauty and untouched stretches of land, Felicite Island remained relatively ignored as a former coconut plantation that no one really visited. That’s until the government decided to grant a 99-year lease on the island in 2007 which immediately caught investors’ attention, and plans to build a luxury resort on the island started to take shape. The 2008 financial crisis stopped the project in its tracks, but in 2013 Singaporean real estate developer Kishore Buxani and his partner, Seychellois entrepreneur Mukesh Valabhji, took over and resumed construction.
Three years later, the luxury resort Six Senses Zil Pasyon was finally inaugurated, boasting 33 residential villas and a deluxe spa, along with several restaurants, bars, retail outlets, and recreational centres that occupy a third of the island’s surface. As a third-generation Seychellois, Mukesh Valabhji knew how important it was to work with partners who have a deep focus on sustainability and would go to great lengths to ensure the resort’s construction doesn’t affect the natural habitat of the island, which is also part of a nature reserve.
Therefore, Six Senses was the ideal choice as they’re known for the sustainable practices that they employ in all of their projects. Six Senses’ mission is to provide unique hospitality experiences for their clients while promoting social and environmental sustainability through eco-friendly architectural and design practices, and a series of activities that are meant to improve guests’ well-being and balance. Their core values are also reflected in the development of the Zil Pasyon resort which has turned Felicite Island into an ecological jewel and a sought-after destination for holidaymakers.
Tourism done right
Mukesh Valabhji and Kishore Buxani’s Zil Pasyon project offers a perfect blend of luxury and sustainability on Felicite Island, proving that sustainable tourism is not a myth, but a reality that can be achieved by employing the right approach and strategies. This allows both travellers and the local people to benefit from the experience and ultimately make the world a better place. Here are some of the aspects that the resort focuses on in order to ensure the island’s integrity and protect its raw and authentic beauty.
Sustainability
At Six Senses Zil Pasyon, many of the ingredients used to prepare delicious dishes for the guests come from their own production. In 2021, the resort produced over 7,000 kilos of organic herbs, fruits, and veggies in their gardens, and they plan to expand their self-production capabilities further in the years to come. They also have an in-house water bottling facility and only employ reusable glass water bottles to reduce carbon footprint and cut pollution. Plus, all their toiletries and household utensils are reusable and produced in-house.
Environmental protection
The team at Zil Pasyon has invested plenty of resources into preserving the natural habitat on the island and making sure they only leave positive footprints behind. Their efforts include re-introducing species and plants indigenous or endemic to Seychelles through forest restoration, eradicating invasive species, harvesting and planting coral in Félicité’s Marine Protected Area, or helping endangered Hawksbill turtles successfully hatch.
Social responsibility
Zil Pasyon aims to get the local community involved in their sustainability endeavours, so they employ locally and provide educational programs to local schools. Through their youth engagement projects, they try to raise awareness on sustainability and environmental conservation, encouraging the next generations to get actively involved and build a healthier future for all.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon is just one of the many luxury resorts scattered across the world, but its unique mission and relentless efforts to encourage responsible activities and sustainable tourism make it the best destination for a memorable island getaway.
