The Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards (STMA) is an initiative of the Tourism Authority through its project of Sustainable Island Mauritius which has as objective to recognize tourism.

Operators who have not only stayed true to their sustainability aspirations but also shown extraordinary commitment to health, resilience, and recovery post the COVID-19 crisis.

This 3rd edition emphasized the reduction of carbon footprint and the promotion of sustainable travel there were (06) different Categories. There were (06) Tourism Enterprises from Rodrigues nominated for the competition in different categories. 04 of these enterprises were finalists;
 

The project “One Visitor, One Tree” is among the major initiatives of the Commission for Tourism in line with the development of a Sustainable Tourism Sector in Rodrigues. 

The objectives of the project are as follows:

• To reforest bare land in Rodrigues
• To promote sustainable tourism development
• To sensitize visitors and the public at large on the need to participate in the mitigation of climate change
• To provide an opportunity for visitors to reduce their carbon footprint.     

A delegation from the TEWF was on a mission in Rodrigues from the 03^rd to the 9^th September for a training of local members. A Certificate Award Ceremony was held at the conference room of Vicariat Apostholique de Rodrigues (Saint Gabriel).

On 20^th March 2024 the Commission for Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Polytechnics Mauritius for the delivery of 02 short training courses to tourism operators in Rodrigues, namely the Professional Front Office Operations and Management Essentials programmes.

On 2^nd April 2024 the Commissioner for Tourism launched the first training course, the Professional Front Office Operations at PML Rodrigues Campus. For this first session there were a total of 29 operators present.

The Commission for Tourism held a meeting with Tourism Operators to present the performance of the Tourism Sector, projects implemented during FY 2023/2024 and the Budgeted projects for Tourism for FY 2024/2025.
 

“La Compagnie du Ponant” included Rodrigues in their cruise itineraries for the month of December 2023. The first vessel, Le Champlain, arrived on 12 December 2023 with 194 persons on board including 63 passengers and 131 crew members.

The second vessel, the Jacques Le Quartier arrived on 16 December 2023 with 95 passengers and 121 crew members. 

“Le Champlain” arrived in Rodrigues again on 25 December 2023 with 90 passengers and 131 crew members on board.

Passengers from all 03 trips were welcomed by the Commissioner for Tourism and staff of the Commission as well as Rodrigues Tourism Office to the sound of the Traditional music and with a welcoming cocktail before heading for their programmed activities in Rodrigues.

In line with its objective to encourage the development of sports tourism on the island and the promotion of the destination the Commission for Tourism and the Rodrigues Kitesurfing Association (RKA) led the Organization of the Rodrigues International Kitesurf Festival (RIKF) 2023 held from the 26th to 30th July 2023 in collaboration with the Commission for Youth and Sports.
 

The Commission welcomed a delegation of the UNDP at a Courtesy Meeting held on Monday 03^rd July 2023. The delegation seized the opportunity to briefly explain their ongoing projects in Rodrigues which are the Eco Fish project and the Coral Restoration programme within the SEMPA region.
The Commission also participated in the workshop on Coral Reef Restoration Sustainability Plan and Partnership held on Wednesday 05^th July 2023 at Les Cocotiers Hotel.