“One cannot think of transition without a keen sense of inclusive leadership”

• Shirin Gunny to the tourism industry leaders: “Use your influence to convince all Mauritians that they have everything to gain from sustainable tourism”

At the recent Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards 2024, Shirin Gunny, President of the Jury, and CEO of ‘Made in Moris’ and the ‘Association des Manufacturiers Mauriciens’ (AMM), highlighted the importance of leadership and collaboration in achieving sustainable tourism. Her remarks underscored the necessity of an inclusive leadership approach, the value of partnerships, the need to rethink destination differentiation, and the importance of continuous improvement.

“I am honoured to have chaired such a dedicated jury. We have been able to rely on a diversity of perspectives, an essential element in this awards process. Thank you all!” Shirin Gunny began, expressing her gratitude for the collective efforts of the jury.

Instead of a traditional speech, Shirin Gunny shared four key observations from her experience in the tourism sector over the past few weeks, all centred around a fundamental strength—leadership. 

“One cannot think of transition without a keen sense of leadership, and more importantly, without inclusive leadership. An inclusive leadership that encourages everyone to engage in this sustainable journey and fosters a culture of innovation, driven by every employee at all levels of the company,” she emphasized. “Thanks to this open leadership, we can all challenge the status quo and learn to do things differently.”

Shirin Gunny’s second observation extended the concept of leadership beyond hotels, to include collaboration and co-creation. 

“At ‘AMM’ and ‘Made in Moris’, we firmly believe in Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) – Partnerships for the Goals. The ‘Made in Moris’ Pledge, which everyone can subscribe to, allows you to commit to including more ‘Made in Moris’ products in your supply chain. The table centrepieces in the colours of ‘Made in Moris’ are an example of this.”

Encouraging curiosity and dialogue with local SMEs, she cited the ‘Made in Moris’ Discovery Tour, done in collaboration with the Tourism Authority, which led to innovative projects linking the tourism and manufacturing sectors. “And don’t forget NGOs when forging new partnerships to accelerate your transition. I know first-hand that only collaboration and co-creation can ensure the success of this transition.”

The Mauritian culture is, after all, the only point of differentiation for our destination that no one can take away from us.

Shirin Gunny’s third observation focused on rethinking destination differentiation collectively. “Sustainable development can no longer focus solely on environmental protection. We must also include cultural heritage. Sustainable Development Goal 11 – SDG 11, titled ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’, emphasizes the protection and safeguarding of the world’s cultural and natural heritage,” she noted. 

With the increasing presence of foreign labour in hotels, Shirin Gunny highlighted the need to develop a new storytelling around the destination, emphasizing Mauritian identity. “The Mauritian culture is, after all, the only point of differentiation for our destination that no one can take away from us.”

She invited the audience to invest in the Mauritian cultural and creative industry, rich with young talent and promising for the growth of the tourism sector.

Shirin Gunny’s fourth observation was about vigilance. “Awards celebrating best practices can create the illusion that what we are doing is enough. However, given the environmental and climate urgency, it is never enough. It is crucial to focus on continuous improvements, measurable impacts, and broadening everyone’s engagement.”

As a citizen, Shirin Gunny made a call to action. “We know the tourism industry is a vital pillar of our economy, with real influence. What if the tourism industry used this influence to support the entire island’s transition to sustainable development? I am talking about a positive ripple effect.”

She urged that the Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards should be a national project involving all Mauritians. “What’s the point of having zero-plastic hotels if, when the tourist steps outside, the streets are littered with waste? Use your influence to convince all Mauritians that they have everything to gain from sustainable tourism, as we can no longer rely solely on occupancy rates.”

Shirin Gunny stressed the need to act now, and to make the Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards a societal project capable of generating long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Wearing her hat as CEO of the ‘Association des Manufacturiers Mauriciens’ and ‘Made in Moris’, Shirin Gunny pointed out the undeniable and legitimate links between the manufacturing and tourism sectors. “Every day, an ecosystem of industrialists, manufacturers, and SMEs contributes, behind the scenes, to the tourist experience that makes Mauritius famous. And it is with these same industrialists, manufacturers, and SMEs that you can invest to jointly develop more sustainable and responsible operational models,” she said.

Shirin Gunny warmly congratulated Lindsay Morvan and Daren Moodely, of the Tourism Authority, for their perseverance in ensuring the continuity of the awards. “Your persistence has secured the sustainability of this competition,” she explained.