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Sue Quelch

Environment, Travel

A New Use for Scrap Glass?

… the ultimate ‘recycling and re-using’ idea!

Sustainable Tourism at Four Seasons Maldives Series, 4 of 7

I am ‘shouting out’ about resorts where I can see they are truly focussed on leaving the world better than they found it. 

Removing much of the ‘stuff’ that creates waste, especially plastic waste, is the strategy at Landaa Giraavaru. The Landaa Spring – covered in the previous blog and video in this series – is a prime example, fresh island water in refillable glass bottles = no single use plastics from that source. Swapping out plastic bottles in guest bathrooms for cute refillable containers and removing plastic bottles from mini bars, means they already have made big headway into reducing waste, with little coming from guest rooms. But at Landaa Giraavaru they go a lot lot further than this.

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July 17, 2023
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Environment, Travel

Antarctica. It’s Time to Act. NOW!

One of our most precious continents. Subject to and suffering from the increases in temperatures to both oceans and atmosphere. Such significant consequences to so much and so many, as sea levels rise and the Southern Ocean’s currents change with the ice melt from what is the planet’s greatest freshwater reserve.

This short ‘teaser’ film, showcasing the collapse of Antarctica is meant to draw your attention to the dramatic effects that are happening right now.

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July 12, 2023
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Environment, Travel

Tapping into the Water …

… and eliminating 250,000 plastic bottles a year

Sustainable Tourism at Four Seasons Maldives Series, 3 of 7

I am ‘shouting out’ about resorts where I can see they are truly focussed on leaving the world better than they found it. 

There’s one thing for sure, it’s warm in the Maldives and you need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.  Today we are really aware of single use plastics, but typically, in the past, water in resorts and hotels has been delivered to guests in this manner.  It’s good to see that changing around the world, but in some travel destinations it’s a much bigger challenge.

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July 6, 2023
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Environment, Travel

Using The Sun …

… and saving the earth from 2,900 tons of CO2

Sustainable Tourism at Four Seasons Maldives Series, 2 of 7

I am ‘shouting out’ about resorts where I can see they are truly focussed on leaving the world better than they found it. 

Maldives resort islands generally have their own powerhouses, generating electricity from diesel. However one thing the Maldives has is plenty of sunshine, at least more days than the UK for sure.  Faisal took us for an exclusive view of how they are using the sun – bear in mind Landaa Giraavaru is only 600 metres in length east to west, and 200 meters at its maximum width – I think you will agree its impressive.

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July 3, 2023
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Environment, Travel

A Unique Approach to Carbon Credits

Sustainable Tourism at Four Seasons Maldives Series, 1 of 7

Traditionally tourism focused on increasing revenues and attracting more tourists! The effects on the environment, water and energy consumption, pollution, wildlife and their habitats just weren’t considered. That’s still the case in many areas of the world but increasingly travellers are demanding sustainable practices and choosing holiday destinations accordingly.  I have to say that wasn’t top of our list when we booked our first holiday at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, in the Maldives but the level of sustainability best practices in place there astounded us.  I am ‘shouting out’ about resorts where I can see they are truly focussed on leaving the world better than they found it. 

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June 26, 2023
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Environment

Lets Celebrate the Return of the Whales, but Not Forget Our Past

Why the Grytviken ‘spirit tables’ sculpture is important – a visitors perspective!

Future generations cannot learn from history if we eradicate the visible signs and monuments – that’s my belief. Nothing was more pertinent and obvious to me in South Georgia. The juxtaposition of the beauty and extensive wildlife on its beaches and surrounding ocean, compared to the remains of the Grytviken whaling station, where we nearly wiped out entire whale species, is a case in point. This place has much visible evidence of human devastation on our wildlife. Combining the ‘then and now’ is tricky, but it seems ‘art’ might provide a solution – a way of expressing history, AND showing hope.

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April 24, 2023
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Travel

Being Expected

Villa 420 and What is the True Meaning of Luxury?

The island of Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives Four Seasons resort is an idyllic island paradise of true luxury. But what does ‘true luxury’ really mean? It’s always so personal, but for us here is how it goes.

Prefer to watch a video? Click HERE for my YouTube video instead.

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April 13, 2023
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Travel

Scotland: 10 Five Star Hotels (mostly), 22 days (Part 4)

It’s All About the Biscuits!

Kentallon, Glencoe – A few days golfing!

Find out why some of the most expensive hotels in Scotland aren’t always good value. Read up on hotels that have taken action to be more sustainable, and those that still have a way to go. Use the information to help plan your own road trip up the west coast of Scotland.

‘THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY’

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March 6, 2023
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Environment, Travel

How this all started!

Gold Harbour, South Georgia Island

It’s very difficult to describe life changing experiences. Standing on Gold Harbour beach at 5.30am witnessing the sheer volume of life and realising the absolute fragility of the planet, exacerbated by man…… was like no other moment in my life.

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February 26, 2023
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Environment, Travel

One of the coolest ways to offset the negative impact of your travel …

Not sure about you, but I am really not keen on clicking that ‘offset your carbon footprint’ button when booking my flights. Don’t get me wrong, I want to offset my carbon, but I want to know what my donation is actually being spent on … whether it is benefiting the wildlife and the people where I am visiting. Some donations I make aren’t always to a ‘carbon offset’ project as such, but simply have a positive environmental impact. The following idea is definitely one that is great for the environment AND you will benefit too.

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January 23, 2023
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