Three weeks ago, ?Osmose? published an article entitled, "Tourism operators must wake up", detailing a series of measures that the tourism industry urgently needs to espouse if it is to become remotely sustainable. The article, which offered practical solutions for improving water and energy use, ameliorating waste and wastewater management as well as protecting a country?s biodiversity, to name but a few, was inspired by the Tour Operators? Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (TOI).

TOI describes itself as a "group of committed tour operators that recognise the importance of collaboration, rather than competition, in successfully implementing their individual strategies and actions for sustainability". In short, it acts as a sort of platform for the exchange of best practices.

Following the publication of the article I was contacted by the ?Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners of Mauritius (AHRIM) who considered that its members had been given short shrift. Although it agreed with the bulk of the article, it thought that the title was unfair given that, contrarily to many other industries, the tourism industry has long been conscious of the need to protect the environment. It also posited that it is not as profitable as some would like to believe and that one bank?s profits exceed those of the industry as a whole. So be it. But the tourism industry also places far more demands on the country?s resources and natural environment.

It?s still worth highlighting some of its achievements. AHRIM established an environment charter as early as 2002. Some hotels reuse up to 50% of their wastewater for irrigation. Many of its members already use energy-efficient light bulbs and will undertake energy audits in order to implement "economically viable" energy efficiency measures. AHRIM hopes to publish a practical guide for the sustainable construction and operation of hotels in the coming year.

This environmental awareness was born of pure common sense. The tourism sector?s most bankable asset is the country?s natural beauty. Despoiling it would be tantamount to killing the goose with the golden eggs. Tourism operators are also aware that there are substantive savings to be made by increasing the efficiency with which hotels manage their energy and water use. Last but certainly not least, their clients, especially those from England and Germany, increasingly want to be reassured that their holidays will not be detrimental to the environment of their destination.

One has to admit that the sector?s environmental sustainability is complicated by the fact that it is composed of a complex web of sub-contractors. TOI recognises this problem. "Because most of the goods and services included in a holiday package are provided by a supply chain of subcontracted companies, organisations and agents, tour operators are not always in direct control of the environmental and social impacts of those products". It quickly goes on to affirm however that this does not absolve tourism operators from the need to "companies must take responsibility for ensuring the sustainability of all the inputs that go into their products."

The association rightly admits that it still has a long way to go in terms of environmental sustainability but it would like its efforts past and present to be recognised. Yet all this could well come to naught if the Prime minister proves serious about doubling the number of tourists by 2015. Two million tourists would be suicidal for Mauritius?s environmental and social balance. Politicians and common sense are odd bedfellows indeed.