Mauritius took centre stage at the 7th edition of the international A World for Travel forum in Paris, where sustainability, environmental preservation and the future of luxury tourism shaped discussions from 28 to 30 October 2026.
Held at the Musée Marmottan Monet, the French National Assembly’s Colbert Room and the Hôtel de l’Industrie, the forum brought together representatives of 44 nationalities, including tourism ministers, industry leaders, journalists and public- and private-sector decision-makers.
Founded by Frédéric Vanhoutte, A World for Travel has established itself as a platform for addressing the industry’s major challenges through five key pillars: the economy, technology, climate, the environment and social issues.
Protecting Mauritius’s Natural Heritage
One of the key discussions, “Blue Economy: The Strategic Frontier”, featured Clency Roméo, Chief Sustainability Officer of Sunlife Group, who shared insights from more than 30 years in luxury hospitality.
His central message was clear: Mauritius’s tourism appeal depends on protecting its natural assets, particularly its beaches, lagoons and marine environment.
“We cannot manufacture the water or the beach,” he emphasised, highlighting the growing threat of coastal erosion and the need for collective action involving government, communities, tourism operators and visitors.
He also outlined Sunlife’s sustainability initiatives, including solar-powered water heating, food-waste reduction and organic-waste recovery solutions that generate energy and irrigation water.
Redefining the Meaning of Luxury
Mauritius was also represented by Véronique Berthier, Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Europe & North America at The Lux Collective, during the panel “Is Luxury Compatible with the New Tourism?”
Her contribution highlighted how luxury hospitality is evolving beyond comfort and exceptional service. Today’s travellers increasingly seek authenticity, cultural discovery, meaningful local connections and responsible tourism.
She stressed that luxury and sustainability must go hand in hand, with hotels placing greater emphasis on destination identity and community engagement.
During the discussion, she also announced that LUX* Le Morne would close from 30 April 2027 for major renovation works.
Mauritius’s Message to the World
Through the contributions of Sunlife and The Lux Collective, Mauritius reinforced its presence in the global tourism conversation.
The message emerging from Paris was significant: the future of tourism depends not only on attracting visitors, but also on protecting natural resources, empowering local communities and redefining luxury through sustainability.
