Mauritius has enjoyed and continues to enjoy an enviable status as a honeymoon luxury destination on the world tourist map. Yet, confronted to the economic challenges and worldwide competition from countries with life-like offers, the once famed star and key of the Indian Ocean is facing contradicting tensions as the stress put on the tourist industry may play against the environment and its very interests.

One element that is much appreciated by those who nourish an ongoing love story with their favourite holiday destination is the quality of the climate: the air is noticeably less polluted (at least on the coast) than in big megalopolis; sea and beaches remain abundant and clean.

Comfort, with a very good road network and top-flight accommodation, is also remarkable from the first footstep and the highly professional hospitality culture appeals to the most demanding. But, even on this very front, other island nations, not to mention multifaceted destinations like Thailand, have positioned themselves much aggressively, both in terms of costs and quality.

Since both responsible authorities ? advisor Marcel Noé recently repeated the Tourism ministry?s concern for the protection of environment for the survival of this industry in an article published by the British Broadcasting Corporation - and non governmental organisations agree that the environment cannot be overlooked, while the government is pushing forward the prospect of two millions tourists by the next decade, some consider that it is the right time to sensibly rethink part of the issues.

More and more travellers in developed countries are becoming ecologically aware and value a ?carbon neutral? lifestyle when choosing their holiday destination. In this context, according to a study named Mauritius: Green Island Campaign for Mauritius.com, a London-based web travel agency, and environmental agency Earth, Sea and Sky (ESS), Mauritius should play the environmental card even more thoroughly, that is in its branding.

<B>Energy conservation</B>

One good measure would be to show more commitment in carbon emission reduction. ?In conjunction with ESS and a leading carbon offset (i.e: reduction) projects agency in London, Mauritius.com calculates the average level of carbon emissions released per return passenger to Mauritius from London is approximately 2.1 tons, almost equivalent to burning half an acre of sugar cane?, one can read in the same report, released this month by Carisbrookes cabinet.

The authors conclude that with 800,000 visitors per annum and the opening of routes to new-coming airlines, over 1.5 million tons of CO2 would be generated each year by flights alone, a ?highly disproportionate? figure, considering the size of our island.

What could be done to counter that dreadful spill comprises a variety of methods: from tree planting to sustainable choices in terms of renewable energy and energy conservation.

This is not a new debate, but what has changed is the economic light cast over it. Addressing greenhouse gas reduction is not a farsighted ideal for Mauritius.com: to maintain a healthy tourism industry and to preserve the island?s uniqueness as a distinguished destination, the agency simply wants to encourage a change of mentalities and has a goal: ?to make Mauritius the world?s most carbon neutral economy? by 2012!

<B>Extensive aquaculture</B>

By doing so, Mauritius would not just reap a new label or resolve its own economic problems; it ?would be seen as leading the way by punching above its weight on the international stage in relation to climate?. Some dark points nevertheless remain in that strategy: forestation, tree planting and renewable energy solutions are said to be economically worth-while as emission trading credits ? or subventions - can be obtained if industrialists agree to reduce CO2 emission as it is carried out in developed countries.

Yet, while a tree, not to say a forest, often takes decades to grow enough to influence gas reduction, once released CO2 may stay in the atmosphere for at least one century. Nobody knows if, after having received their credits, industrialists will stick to their say, let the trees grow and go on with energy saving or renewable solutions.

With prospects like extensive aquaculture, actually cherished by the government, the whole project of an environmentally sustained industry seems to be at decisive crossroads. More than ever, coherence and thoughtful decision-making, perhaps not the most politically apt, are still to be valued.