Tread Gently on the Earth:

The Joy of Being a Sustainable Traveller

Designed around the idea of “responsible luxury”, our Island of Joy invites adventurers and wonder-seekers to tread lightly on the earth, even as they explore exciting and luxurious destinations around the world. The small choices we make while travelling can add up to have quite a big impact!

Read on to discover our top tips for becoming a more sustainable traveller, starting with your stay at JOALI Maldives.

Be Resource Wise

• Reduce the carbon footprint of food waste by choosing hotels that manage food waste thoughtfully. Our resort composts food and garden waste into natural fertiliser.
• Limit the use of single-use plastic by opting for glass water bottles and carrying your own shopping bag. Here at JOALI, we recycle all paper, packaging, glass and metal waste.
• Use digital reading materials to reduce the amount of paper waste created. Along with providing a wide variety of digital reading materials across our island, we also use waste paper to create recycled paper.
• Reduce energy consumption by using natural light instead of electric lights in the daytime, and switching off TVs, lights and gadgets when they are not being used. All our villas have state-of-the-art automations to reduce energy loss; however, support from our guests can help to further conserve energy.
• Make use of Green Housekeeping initiatives and change your linens and towels only when required. Reducing the number of times linens and towels are laundered helps to reduce water, electricity and laundry detergent usage. We use biodegradable, eco-certified laundry detergents for the safety of our Hosts and the environment.
• Dine sustainably and be conscious of what you eat. JOALI’s Slow Food approach and responsible sourcing policies ensure local, seasonal and ethically sourced items are on our menu.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, peas and nuts. They’re good for you and they’re also really good for the planet!

Become a Reef Saviour

• Learn the delicate art of coral gardening. The JOALI Reef Restoration Project is actively involved in restoring the vibrant coral reefs around our island, and we encourage guests to join the effort by planting coral fragments in our very own nurseries.
• Attend a Marine Talk to learn more about the importance of preserving marine life and ways to get involved. Our resort hosts regular informative sessions for guests, with a focus on preserving the incredible ocean ecosystem of the Maldives.
• Our young visitors can become Mini Marine Biologists! Learn about the wonders of the ocean and join a variety of activities to help save coral reefs, guided by our resident Marine Biologist.
• Use reef-safe sunscreens to protect marine life. We recommend choosing lotions or creams instead of sprays and mists — while the latter might be more convenient, they are also more damaging to our oceans. You could also wear a t-shirt or rash guard to reduce how much sunscreen you need to apply.
• Always swim, snorkel and dive with care so you don’t touch the coral. Please don’t remove anything from the sea or the beach. Shells and corals belong in the ocean.

Participate in Sustainability Initiatives

• Join our 60-minute Sustainability Tour to learn more about the resort’s sustainable practices and explore the “heart of the house” (an area guests don’t usually see).
• Visit nearby islands for tree planting and community activities with local schools and other institutions. Along the way, you will also have a chance to learn more about the Maldivian way of life.
• Lend your green thumb to one of the regular tree planting activities hosted at JOALI Maldives. Let’s come together to ensure a green future for our Island of Joy!
• Our young guests can explore a wide selection of sustainability activities, including recycling art, recycling paper, tree planting and more.

Donate for a Good Cause

• Here at JOALI, our guests can donate to the Joy of Caring programme, which runs a series of initiatives to support the environment and local communities.
• Under the overall Joy of Caring programme, we have different focus areas. Guests can donate to Joy of Preserving to support environmental initiatives, Joy of Supporting to support community engagement, and Joy of Empowering to support women’s empowerment.
• 100% of all guest donations are used for the projects, and no deductions are made for administration.