Known for its crystalline waters, abundance of marine life and stunning accommodation, it’s easy to see why the Maldives is at the top of so many travellers’ list. But with the Indian Ocean archipelago seeing up to 1.7 million visitors per year, tourism has put a strain on the surrounding ecosystems and increased local pollution levels. To help mitigate these effects, it’s important to remember that where you stay and spend your money can have a huge impact. 

Soneva Fushi is located on the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a Maldivian island covered by magnificent dense jungle, blinding-white sand and a ridiculously clear, turquoise lagoon. 

Leading the current trend, Soneva Fushi banned the use of plastic straws in 1998. A decade later it stopped importing water and has so far saved approximately 1.5 million plastic bottles from production. The Maldives is a nation with very few municipal waste facilities, so implementing initiatives to counter rubbish and plastic pollution is a necessity. Last year, Soneva launched the Soneva Namoona initiative that will see a number of islands in the Baa Atoll pledging to end the open burning of island waste, and instead build a dedicated waste-management system. 

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