Mauritius
Design Sheet
Eco Tourism Development
November 2004
Ministry of Housing and Lands
DESIGN SHEET
Eco Tourism Development
“Ecotourism must contribute Many destinations are recognising the importance of
to the conservation of natural promoting a quality environment and capitalising on the
areas and the sustainable
development of adjacent areas
growing market for ecotourism.
and communities, and it should Ecotourism will always remain a niche form of travel, relevant
generate further environmental
only in the relatively few areas of the world that still possess
and conservation awareness
among resident populations and valuable natural attractions. So it should be viewed as
visitors.” just one possible solution in a range of strategies for more
World Tourism Organisation 2000 sustainable development. Thus these guidelines will not be
confining advice to the purest form of ecotourism. Rather,
they will seek to identify how to make more sustainable
the many forms of tourism in Mauritius which are related to
ecotourism. It is the application of the principles of ecotourism
(harmonizing social, economic, environmental and
educational goals) which is the objective. It also embraces
specific principles which distinguish it from the wider concept
of the traditional resort development (see following table).
The ecotourism market cannot be developed in isolation.
Its formulation has to be firmly grounded in what the market
wants on the one hand and on the other, what Mauritius can
offer. Further, there is no answer to the question ‘who is an
ecotourist’, because ecotourism markets continue to evolve
there is a spectrum of interest and types of markets:
• Some are committed or highly specialised (planning a
vacation around the natural experience, participating
in educational courses, etc.);
• Some are interested (but not committed, usually
also having a high level of environmental and social
awareness);
• Some are casual (planning a more general vacation,
but influenced by the product offerings once they are
at their destination); and
• Some ecotourists may have a multitude of other non-
ecotourism interests.
For Mauritius, they are likely to be interested in a one or two
night stay or day trip to an ecotourism destination as part of
their vacation.
Design Guidance
A number of tourism products in Mauritius may incorporate
elements that are often present in ecotourism (e.g., wildlife
Ecotourism is concerned with
viewing, adventure, nature, culture, learning, etc.) But since
sustaining the environment, ecotourism is a subset of sustainable development it is the
as well as communities and way in which the activities are undertaken that makes them
cultures, and in educating ecotourism.
stakeholders – in other words
adhering to a set of principles of The key objectives should involve:
ecotourism. It is the application
of the principles of ecotourism
which is the objective.
DESIGN GUIDANCE Eco Tourism Development
Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004
DESIGN SHEET
Eco Tourism Development
INDICATOR ECOTOURISM TRADITIONAL RESORT
Objective Focus on the preservation To make visitors comfortable
and interpretation of in familiar surroundings and
indigenous natural and manipulated environments.
cultural resources. Basic Typically, much of the site
objective is to help visitors is totally reconfigured with
appreciate the natural and pools, terraces and imported
cultural uniqueness of a site vegetation.
by bringing them physically
closer to it.
Scale Small to middle scale, slow All scales, fast progression to
growth. large scale.
Development at a human
scale and the sensory
features of the native
landscape, such as
sights, smells and sounds
are appreciated and
preserved.
Investment Strategy Moderate/low investment, High investment.
balancing supporting Extensive supporting
infrastructure, needs of infrastructure.
access and environmental Priority to allow for fast, easy
impacts. and comfortable access.
Development Goals Promote conservation Promote national
objectives. development objectives.
Provide funding Distribute funds to central
for protected area government.
management. Private sector involvement/
Earning potential for local partnership.
communities.
Planning Unique location.
Stays within carrying High guest capacity
capacity of the area.
Activities Research.
Wildlife watching with High impact/high intensity
interpretation facilities and adventure/sports activities.
services. Non individual, high comfort
Nature photography. nature tours (e.g. air
Voluntary environmental conditioned bus).
programmes (inventories
and monitoring).
Low impact/low intensity
adventure/sports activities.
Key Attraction Focus Natural suroundings first.
Facilities second. Natural surroundings and
Education/activity focus. facilities equal.
DESIGN GUIDANCE Eco Tourism Development
Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004
DESIGN SHEET
Eco Tourism Development
• Εnvironmentally sound development, actively
contributing to the conservation and enhancement of
natural and cultural heritage.
• Βenefits to local communities, through such means
as participation in decision making, employment,
management, ownership, education, self-reliance and
fulfillment, or strengthening culture.
• Εconomic benefits to tourism industry participants.
• Εducation and interpretation, to provide participatory
and respectful experiences for the visitor.
Ecotourism Activities
It is often less the activity and more how a tourism activity
is practised, that makes it ecotourism – in other words
supporting the principles of ecotourism. Thus one can find a
range of types of tourism activity which might be categorised
in other ways (by nature, or adventure, or culture) being
described as ecotourism, because of how they are practised.
The following will guide in evaluating ecotourism projects:
1. The project is located within a natural and cultural
heritage area.
2. The project will generate local employment as well as
promoting active participation of the local community.
3. The project will provide for management of risks
related to health, safety and security.
4. The project will promote environmental education
and protection through appropriate plans, standards,
polices and practices.
5. The project will promote cultural preservation and
respect for local knowledge and practices.
6. The project will provide for visitor satisfaction.
7. The project is technically and financially viable.
Site Development
Ecotourism experiences are characterized by a respect
for the integrity of the resource, which also instil a sense of
appreciation for the visitor. Within this context, certain site
development principles are important to note. These are
applicable to any site and are regarded as essential to
maintain the integrity of the resource and offer a quality
experience to the visitor.
Key ecotourism development principles are:
DESIGN GUIDANCE Eco Tourism Development
Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004
DESIGN SHEET
Eco Tourism Development
• From a tourism perspective, ecotourism sites should be
designed and developed to offer an ‘experience’ for
Development located in the visitor. It is not just a matter of developing a tourism
prominent position O product or attraction. The most important design
consideration is the quality of the experience offered;
• The experience offered must not compromise the
integrity of the resource and must impart a sense of
Location and form result respect for the resource through site treatment and
in visually well integrated P interpretation activities;
development
• The experience must also consider the needs
of the visitor for ancillary services, again without
compromising the integrity of the resource; and
O
• Interventions on the site to create the experience
must follow internationally accepted practices and/or
Development breaks line of tree standards for resource management and protection
canopy thus increasing visual as appropriate and must clearly demonstrate resource
prominence
sustainability.
P Increased ecological knowledge is the key therefore to
ecotourism design. Instead of human functional needs driving
the site design, site components need to respond to the
Line of tree canopy remains special character, climate, topography, soils and vegetation
intact and development blends as well as be compatible with the existing cultural context.
into the site
Clusters of individual lodges
with views to coast
Back of house
utilities
Central lodge/facilities
Lodge development with and pool
minimal disturbance to
landscape
Stagger development to
integrate into landscape and
maximise views
DESIGN GUIDANCE Eco Tourism Development
Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004
DESIGN SHEET
Eco Tourism Development
Designing with geological features such as rock outcrops can
enhance the sense of place. For example, integrating rocks
into the design of a timber deck or boardwalk brings the
visitor in direct contact with the resource and the uniqueness
of a place.
If road access is required, a curvilinear alignment should be
designed to flow with the topography and add visual interest.
The road should have low design speeds (with more and
tighter curves) and a narrower width to minimise cut and fill
disturbance. Over-engineering of roads in resource-sensitive
areas should be avoided. It is also better to service a group of
buildings with a circular one way flow with a parking area set
to one side than to have two way traffic.
Access corridors should be provided for multiple purposes
- for example, visitors, maintenance, security, emergency
vehicles, underground utilities. Using the same road during
construction can limit site degradation and re landscaping.
Buildings should utilise, as much as possible, local construction
techniques, materials and images in harmony with the natural
environment. Use simple design solutions wherever possible.
Accommodation may be modest but comfortable, clean but
unpretentious.
Wetlands
By their very nature, ecotourism sites will often contain some
of the most sensitive and highly prised natural resources,
such as wetlands. Mauritius is a signatory of the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands. In this context, development on or
around wetlands should not normally be permitted.
development set back
from mangroves
trail on raised
boardwalk
option of “floating” lodges with
access from boardwalks to be
considered on a case by case basis
Simple buildings and structures
DESIGN GUIDANCE Eco Tourism Development
Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004
DESIGN SHEET
Eco Tourism Development
In special cases, consideration may be given to
development near wetlands and other water bodies,
based on careful assessment of sensitive resources and
processes. For example, mangroves have high value for
maintaining stocks of fish, combating coastal erosion, wildlife
conservation as well as ecotourism. Through good practice,
it is possible to minimise impacts and incorporate trails or
develop close to mangrove areas. In these cases, protective
measures must be taken to address indirect environmental
impacts, including:
• Μangrove areas should be zoned to separate out
incompatible activities, such as canoeing versus
motorised fishing boats.
• Wherever possible, tourist access should be either by
boat, or by raised boardwalk - felling of trees to clear
routes for boardwalks and other structures should be
minimised and the seaward lines of trees should not be
disturbed.
• Buildings should be confined to the dry inland edge
of the mangrove belt, not within the mangroves and
they should be raised on stilts. Only in exceptional
locations should buildings be constructed (or floated)
on the seaward side of the mangrove belt.
• Buildings should generally be no higher than the
tree canopy, and the concept of buildings and
boardwalks should be that they become structures
within the forest.
• Observation towers may protrude above the
tree canopy, but should be few in number, and
unobtrusive in appearance.
• Biting insects must be accepted as part of the
mangrove ecosystem, and visitors should avoid the
problem by using appropriate clothing and repellents.
• Toilet facilities should be sited as far inland as possible.
DESIGN GUIDANCE Eco Tourism Development
Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004
