Travel Journals
The Rise of Responsible Travel in Mauritius
The island of Mauritius emerges from the Indian Ocean, 500 miles east of Madagascar. It’s ringed with coral reefs, and white sand beaches are nestled among the mangroves and rainforests fringing its shores. Inland is a stunning volcanic landscape of craggy basalt peaks, while the Black River Gorges National Park is a green wilderness of verdant valleys and plunging waterfalls.
Mauritius has been designated by IUCN as a “Centre of Plant Diversity”, with hundreds of endemic plants, including the red bell-shaped boucle d’oreille flower and the black-trunked ebony tree. It also has a lot of endemic reptiles, birds and vertebrates, including the Mauritian flying fox, with its wide eyes and golden fur.
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But most tourists aren’t visiting Mauritius for its landscapes or biodiversity. Instead, many head to the country’s upmarket resorts, to lounge by the pool and on the beach. And as Mauritius’ resort scene expands, it threatens the landscape and biodiversity that makes the island so special. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) places Mauritius third on its list of countries in the world with the most threatened island flora, citing 60% of its species as endangered.
However, there is an alternative to resort tourism. We spoke to Gerald Ami, co-Founder of Mauritius Conscious, about how responsible travel can help conserve habitats and empower communities, instead of impoverishing them.
Enclave Tourism in Mauritius
Mauritius doesn’t have a good history with visitors. The Dutch colonists who arrived on the island during the 17th century managed to drive the famous dodo to extinction, through hunting and deforestation. The Dutch, French and British established sugarcane plantations on Mauritius, which caused further loss of biodiversity through monocropping. However, according to Gerald, these waves of immigration and colonisation have also led to a unique cultural diversity on the island.
“Colonisation brought Europeans, and those colonisers brought slaves from Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique. Then the British replaced slavery with indentured labourers from India,” he says. “In time, all these people began to mix together, and today the country is a complete melting pot. It’s incredible – you can walk down the street and on one side you can see a church; next to it is a mosque, and opposite is a Chinese pagoda.”
Mass tourism has also created social disparity. On a small island that needed investment for tourism to start, that investment came from a few big international players
But when the development of new flight routes in the 1950s led to Mauritius opening up to larger numbers of tourists, it was the beaches that they came for, not the cultural diversity. Hotels and resorts were erected to cater for them, often by large international chains with the money to invest.
By the 1970s, this had given rise to ‘enclave tourism’ on Mauritius. This is a term which, put simply, refers to tourism that takes place within a segregated bubble – tourists will stay in resorts with all-inclusive facilities, such as private beaches, multi-cuisine restaurants and rarely, if ever, leave the hotel confines.
Tourism is now a flourishing industry in Mauritius. According to a 2023 UNDP report, travel and tourism comprised 19.5% of Mauritius’ GDP in 2019, and today one in eight people are directly employed within the industry.
One disadvantage is overtourism, or not very well-planned tourism – people going to the same place, at the same time, all the time
“The positive impact of mass tourism is that it has been a major driver of economic growth,” Gerald says. “It has also generated jobs – not just in tourism but in hospitality, transport, entertainment. And it has provided opportunities for a significant number of the population. A lot of my family have worked directly in tourism for much of my life.
“The island has also benefited from infrastructure development – because of the tourists coming, roads have improved, for example. This benefits tourists as well as locals.”
But there are also, he explains, many disadvantages to mass tourism in Mauritius.
“One disadvantage is overtourism, or not very well-planned tourism – people going to the same place, at the same time, all the time,” he says. “It definitely has a negative impact on the landscape, the ecosystem and the local community. Another negative impact is cultural erosion, where we start to commodify our own culture – it becomes something that we are just doing for money.
“Mass tourism has also created social disparity. On a small island that needed investment for tourism to start, that investment came from a few big international players – they are the ones who have been reaping the benefits. And the small players – the solo entrepreneur, the unemployed guy with a passion for sailing who is saving up for a boat, the family run lodge – they don’t have access to the market.”
There’s also a big environmental impact associated with tourism, especially when tourists travel long distances to remote places. The waste generated by the tourism industry puts a huge strain on Mauritius’ waste management systems – already challenged by the country’s geographic isolation.
An Alternative to Mass Tourism
One of the reasons why Gerald started Mauritius Conscious – alongside his wife Romina Soberanes – was to provide an alternative to mass tourism.
“When Romi and I were deciding how to channel our respective careers, we decided to merge our passions – hers for sustainability and regeneration, a new way of living life, and me for my country and for travel. We decided to create a sustainable travel company in Mauritius,” he explains.
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Join an active small group trip to uncover the wild side of Mauritius as you hike, bike, canyon, kayak, snorkel and whale watch in this tropical paradise.
“We went out and did things we love to do, like going out in nature for hiking and biking, learning new things like kitesurfing. Through doing this, we started to create a network of really interesting local people and tourism entrepreneurs. Even today, these people are still our core asset.
“We realised that those guys, even though they are working from their heart, and working to do good, they still had a knowledge gap that we could help to close. Because they didn’t have access to the resources that would enable them to know how sustainable their operation was. So we started infusing that into their operations and it became a relationship between us and them – a circle. They were grateful to learn about it; we were grateful to be able to share the experiences they provided with travellers. This is what we are still doing today, on a grander scale.”
Activity providers Mauritius Conscious works with provide non-motorised excursions (by sea kayak, e-bikes and on foot) to reduce their carbon footprint. They are also expected to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible – by installing a water filter at their premises and providing stainless steel drinking cups, for example.
Another positive benefit of working with local providers is that it allows travellers to visit less-explored natural environments. In doing so, it allows a transition away from the enclave model – tourists are no longer concentrated in one place, but are spread out across the island, which puts less strain on infrastructure.
In recent years, the Mauritius Government has become increasingly aware of the importance of conserving the environment and developing tourism sustainably. Green zones have been established across the island – from the Ebony Forest near Chamarel to Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, a small island where NGOs have been working to conserve species such as the Mauritius pink pigeon – and are promoted to tourists as places to visit.
According to a 2023 study, there are 50 NGOs in Mauritius working to conserve the island environment, many through community-based tourism projects. ADD Mauritius, for example, rehabilitated the desolate Poudre d’Or village, a town renowned for its many shipwrecks (and which inspired the French novel Paul et Virginie) – which included taking measures against coastal erosion – between 2009-12. An education programme on the protection of coastal resources was undertaken, where community participation was encouraged.
Fast forward a decade and Poudre d’Or is now a popular tourist destination on the island. A 2022 survey among local residents showed that over 90% had noticed an increase in visitors, and a subsequent improvement in economic opportunities. Some villagers set up small handicraft and food stalls, while others were able to capitalise on an increasing number of tourists interested in watersports activities. In other words, improving the environment of the village benefitted both locals and tourists.
How Responsible Tourism Benefits Travellers and Locals
One of the core concepts of responsible tourism is to prevent leakage, where tourist dollars do not stay and circulate within the local community, but instead go to foreign-owned businesses. Mauritius Conscious does this by connecting travellers with local activity providers, which Gerald believes also leads to a more enriching experience.
“We take people to connect Rosemonde; a local grandmother, I call her. She will take you to the market, select local produce with you and explain what they are. Then you’ll go with her back to her home, and cook a traditional Mauritian meal. As you cook, she’ll be sharing her life story, her perspective on the country, and you’ll be doing the same. You’ll leave that experience with a friend,” he says.
(Left) Cooking a traditional meal with Rosemonde. Photo: Mauritius Conscious. (Right) A market in Mauritius. Photo: Getty.
For Gerald, such interactions are a part of responsible tourism, which to him goes further than protecting the local environment.
We ensure that money is distributed equally; that we interact respectfully with nature, wildlife and people.
“It’s also about respecting the local customs, cultures and people,” he says. “By doing so we create a bridge between traveller and locals, which radically changes the experience of the guest. By travelling responsibly we ensure that we break the circle of mass tourism.
“A responsible tourism operator will have practices in place, practices that are certified, and based on global standards. By doing this, we ensure that money is distributed equally; that we interact respectfully with nature, wildlife and people. We ensure that the money from travellers goes to responsible initiatives, such as conservation and educational awareness on specific things – like coral erosion, or reforestation of native species.”
Mauritius Conscious donates 10 euros from each booking to a fund, which is used with an NGO working with local children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We take those kids out and do a specific trip to show them the richness of their land, to teach them about its fragility and how they are already empowered to make decisions that impact positively on the land. My intention with these kids is to make them better custodians of the land than we have been so far,” Gerald says.
“These kids don’t have the opportunity to go hiking in the mountains or coastal trekking because of a difficult family situation, or economic reasons. It may sound like it’s easy and accessible to get into nature, but that’s from our vantage point – it’s more inaccessible to them. And if you’re not aware of nature, you won’t make any positive decisions about it. Becoming good stewards of the land starts with the children.”
Ultimately then, the success of responsible tourism lies in its ability to break the cycle of mass tourism, creating a harmonious relationship between travellers, the environment, and the local community. By supporting responsible initiatives, travellers can play a vital role in preserving the beaches, rainforests and cultural diversity of Mauritius for future generations.
Inspired? Experience Mauritius like a local on our Ultimate Island Adventure in Mauritius, designed by Gerald.
Travel Journals
I Bought a $250 Adapter Because Rivian Said I Could Charge at Tesla Stations, but After Two Road Trips and Multiple Failures, I Feel Like I Was Misled
This evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook and came across a post that immediately grabbed my attention. As EV adoption grows, one of the biggest questions many Rivian owners face isn’t about performance or range; it’s about charging. And when you’re on the road with only 30 miles of range left, the difference between clear communication and misleading assumptions could mean the difference between a smooth trip and a total panic.
Marc, a Rivian R1S owner, shared a frustrating story that I think many EV drivers, especially new ones, can relate to. It wasn’t about the truck itself, but rather about the charging ecosystem Rivian said he’d be able to use.
Here’s exactly what Marc wrote:
“When I purchased my R1S, I was told that I could charge at Tesla chargers, so I bought the adapter from Rivian for $250. I went to my first Tesla chargers on I-95 in Connecticut and found out that I can only charge at the Tesla Superchargers. I’m on another road trip this weekend and went to the Tesla Supercharger in Lee, Massachusetts. Of course, that didn’t work, and when I called Rivian roadside support with only 30 miles of range left, I was told that only certain Tesla Superchargers are available to Rivians. I then found an Electrify America Supercharger, and that didn’t work either. I finally found a Mercedes Supercharger, and fortunately, that worked great. Long story short, I’m pretty upset that Rivian’s sales claim that I can charge at Tesla chargers was not accurate.”
Let’s pause there.
If you’ve never driven an EV before, you might assume, understandably, that a Tesla charging adapter means you can plug into any Tesla charger and be on your way. But as Marc discovered the hard way, that’s just not how it works. And even some EV veterans have found themselves tripped up by how inconsistent or poorly explained this compatibility can be.
Not All Tesla Superchargers Are Created Equal
While it’s technically true that Rivian’s can charge at some Tesla Supercharger stations, only select sites are currently open to non-Tesla vehicles. These locations are visible within the Tesla app, which shows “Magic Dock” compatibility or NACS support based on your vehicle. But here’s the catch: unless someone explicitly tells you to check the Tesla app and shows you how to filter for compatible stations, you might assume that the $250 adapter unlocks all Superchargers. And that’s where owners like Marc are feeling misled.
It’s a complaint we’re seeing more and more, where owners feel that the promise of convenient charging turned into a scavenger hunt with no guarantee of success. And when you add in situations like this Rivian owner whose R1S took over an hour to charge at a Level 3 station and still needed service, it’s easy to see why trust in EV charging infrastructure is a work in progress.
Charging Support, Or Charging Confusion?
Marc’s experience didn’t just stop at Tesla. When Electrify America also failed him, he was left scrambling to find alternatives. Thankfully, a Mercedes-branded charging station saved the day, but it shouldn’t take multiple failed attempts to get a full battery.
This reminds me of another recent story we covered, where a Rivian owner had their vehicle plugged in overnight and woke up to a dead battery, leading to confusion and concern about whether their system was functioning properly at all.
Community to the Rescue
While Marc’s frustration is absolutely justified, the Rivian community didn’t leave him hanging. Several other owners chimed in under his post to offer advice and perspective, and their comments help illustrate the broader picture that new owners need to hear.
Ken responded: “You can charge at Tesla Destination Chargers, but you need a different adapter than the Tesla Supercharger adapter. As for the Superchargers, only use the Tesla app to see which ones are available.”
That distinction between Destination Chargers (usually slower, AC-based chargers at hotels and businesses) and Tesla Superchargers (fast DC stations for long-distance travel) is critical. And unfortunately, it’s one that’s often glossed over in casual sales conversations.
Vincent added: “Get the Tesla app, which will tell you which Tesla Superchargers are compatible with the adapter. My Rivian delivery team was clear on this, and the Rivian message app is also a good resource. Have Fun.”
That’s helpful, if you know to ask. And if you don’t, you could easily end up in a situation like Marc’s.
Lastly, Jann shared a much smoother experience: “Drove to California and back from Florida, 6,000 total miles. The Rivian trip planner took me exactly where I needed to charge. Piece of cake.”
Jann’s story shows that long-distance road trips in a Rivian can absolutely go off without a hitch, but only if you use the right tools and have the right expectations.
Why the Misunderstanding Happens
Rivian, like many EV startups, is navigating a rapidly changing infrastructure landscape. Tesla’s charging network is the gold standard in the U.S., and with the rollout of the NACS (North American Charging Standard), more and more non-Tesla EVs will have access to that network. But it’s not universal yet, and owners need to know that upfront.
Rivian does offer guidance through their delivery advisors and message app, but not everyone gets the same level of support. Some customers get a walkthrough of the Tesla app and are told exactly how to identify compatible Superchargers. Others, like Marc, are simply told, “You can charge at Tesla stations”, and left to figure it out themselves.
That gap in communication is what turns excitement into disappointment.
And when you combine that with issues like a Rivian owner who charged for 11 hours and only got 70 miles or others paying to support Tesla while secretly resenting it, it becomes clear that frustration around charging is as much about expectations as it is about execution.
Journalist Insight: Why This Matters
As an automotive journalist watching this unfold, I think there’s a bigger takeaway here beyond just one person’s road trip mishap. We’re witnessing the early growing pains of a charging transition that will define how EVs are adopted by the masses.
Marc did everything right. He bought the adapter. He followed the promise. He was proactive. But the information pipeline failed him.
And when even Electrify America, the supposed fallback, doesn’t deliver, it’s no wonder owners are left wondering if they made the right call. Some are even stuck charging for hours with no improvement in range, or waking up to a drained battery and no clear answer.
A Moral for All EV Owners
So here’s the moral: if you’re going to drive an EV, especially one from a startup brand, you need to become your own advocate. Learn the charging landscape, get the apps, read the forums, and double-check everything the salesperson tells you. Because the difference between a seamless journey and a weekend ruined by failed chargers might come down to something as small as clicking the right icon in an app.
And if you’re on the other side, working in EV sales or delivery, this is your reminder that what you say (or don’t say) matters. Clarity builds confidence. Confusion builds resentment.
Your Turn
Have you ever had a charging experience that went south because of poor information? Do you think EV brands are doing enough to prepare buyers for real-world charging?
Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear what worked for you, what didn’t, and how we can all help new owners avoid feeling like Marc did.
Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.
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This week’s Heads Up has the scoop on rental sports gear in the Outaouais, a farm-to-table dinner in Munster, a new bus to the Ottawa airport, a new restaurant in Kemptville, a bike ride near Eganville, açaí treats at St. Laurent Shopping Centre, day tripping to New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe, and more. Enjoy!
Cheese shop getting close to 100 percent Canadian stock
As you already know, I’m a big fan of supporting Canadian products—just check out my big guide to shopping locally. So a recent Facebook post by the Balderson Village Cheese Store, just outside Perth, caught my eye. The store’s owners have been making a concerted effort to stock 100 percent made-in-Canada foods. They’re about 75 percent of the way there and hope to have 100 percent Canadian stock by the end of the year. Well done!
You can rent scooters, pontoon boats and more in the Outaouais
Want to explore the great outdoors in the Outaouais, but you don’t have the gear? Tourisme Outaouais has this handy list of companies that rent out kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, electric bikes, scooters, pontoon boats and more.
OC Transpo to launch new bus to the airport
Perhaps finally realizing that folks travelling from Ottawa’s east end to Ottawa International Airport don’t much fancy taking three trains to reach their destination, OC Transpo is launching a direct bus service connecting the St. Laurent, Train and Hurdman stations to the airport. According to this CTV Ottawa story, Route 105 will launch on Sunday, August 24, and will run every half hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The bus is anticipated to take 33 minutes to travel from St. Laurent to the airport.
Quebec loves its Nordic spas
Quebec seems to have embraced the Nordic spa concept—the circuit of hot tub or sauna, cold pool or shower, relaxation and repeat—more strongly than just about anywhere else in Canada. I’ve written a post about some of my favourite Quebec Nordic spas, and it barely scratches the surface. My friend Hilary Nangle recently wrote a post about her favourite Quebec Nordic spas and while there’s a bit of overlap between the two pieces, she’s discovered quite a few spots that I haven’t made it to … yet.
Science fiction, fantasy and horror book convention is coming to Kanata
I wanted to mention this event on the website last year, but by the time I heard about it, it had sold out! So if you’re a fan of Canadian science fiction, fantasy and horror novels, you might want to get your ticket to Can*Con now. You can meet authors, buy books, take classes, pitch your own book to agents and more. It’s happening at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata from October 17 to 19.
New restaurant opens in Kemptville
Named for a famous local Holstein bull, Goldwyn’s restaurant opened this past weekend at 25 Clothier Street East in downtown Kemptville. It promises diners “a modern take on the Wild West at our elevated country western saloon.” Sounds like fun!
You can take a staycation in New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe
Fancy staying close to home? I have just the suggestion: a day spent exploring New Edinburgh, Lindenlea and Rockcliffe. From the new(ish) NCC River House on the Ottawa River to a posh grocery store and a great place to pick up consignment designer clothes, you can read my day trip tips in the Ottawa Business Journal.
Saunders Farm Pig and Corn Roast tickets are available
Most years, the farm-to-table Pig and Corn Roast at Saunders Farm in Munster sells out. So if you want to go to this year’s event on Sunday, August 24, you might want to get your tickets now.
Scenic August bike ride will take cyclists along Eganville backroads
If you want to challenge yourself to a self-supported, non-racing bike ride through the hills and along the backroads near Eganville, now’s the time to register for this year’s Tour de Bonnechere on Sunday, August 24. You can choose from 50km, 65km and 100km routes, as well as a 20km family ride.
You can try a superfood at St. Laurent Shopping Centre
Perhaps açaí berries are old hat to you. I’d heard of them but hadn’t had a chance to taste the Brazilian “superfood” until I was invited to try it at Rio Açaí at St. Laurent Shopping Centre. (The owners also have a location at 35 allée de Hambourg in Gatineau.)
Açaí berries have become trendy in recent years for their health benefits. At Rio Açaí, you can try them in a bowl with your choice of other fruits (I picked mangoes, strawberries and blueberries). The consistency of puréed açaí is a bit like tapioca pudding and it isn’t super sweet, so it made a nice combo with the sweet, dense fruit. You can also try other Brazilian specialties at the takeout spot, such as warm cheese bread (it’s really good) and, of course, coffee.
(Disclosure: I received free products for review purposes. The shop did not review or approve this post. All opinions are my own.)
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
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