GIVING BACK

WELFARE AND CSR RESPONSIBILITY

Breezes Beach Club and Spa was the first hotel in The Zanzibar Collection to be built. From the outset, the Zanzibar Collection decided to employ local people to work in the hotel and to date, 90% of the workforce throughout the entire Zanzibar Collection of hotels come from the local villages – from Zanzibar and Tanzania. Employment opportunities are always offered first to those living in the area.

The Zanzibar Collection has invested heavily in skills development and career management for their staff, through mentoring and training. Many middle and senior managers started their careers in entry-level positions and have been given ample assistance to develop their potential and achieve their goals. The Manager at The Palms started off as a waiter at Breezes Beach Club, Resort & Spa!

The Zanzibar Collection is heavily involved with the local community and its support has led to the building of a Maternity and Neo Natal Clinic in the local village and it also provides much needed medical supplies. The Zanzibar Collection actively encourages its guests to visit the local village of Bwejuu and discover how it supports the community through education, healthcare and clean water.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND REDUCTION

The Zanzibar Collection was the first to bring electricity to this area of the island. Through their persistence, the introduction of electricity changed this area enormously as it allowed the developments of roads and overall infrastructure, which lead to consistent employment and income.

Baraza Resort and Spa and Breezes Beach Club and spa use solar water heating systems. This minimizes the carbon footprint of The Zanzibar Collection.

The Zanzibar Collection encourages its guest to turn off the air-conditioning when not in the bedrooms, to reduce the amount of energy usage.

The Zanzibar Collection features a state of the art sewage treatment plant, where black and grey waters are recycled and used for irrigation. All the massive gardens of Zawadi were planted using a natural product which absorbs humidity during the day and releases it into the roots at night, this allowed Zawadi to save 50% of all water needs for irrigation. In addition, to reduce the amount of water used, The Zanzibar Collection has implemented water saving initiatives, which include the reuse of linen and towels as well as the installation of low-flow faucets and shower heads.

ZERO PLASTIC TARGET

The Zanzibar Collection has pledged to abolish one-way plastic across its properties as far as possible.  At present all lunch boxes have been replaced with cardboard boxes, all plastic straws have been phased out and take-away glasses and cups are replaced with paper cups. The Zanzibar Collection favours drinks bottled in glass. Drinking water is unfortunately not available in glass bottles but it is served in Baraza, Palms and Zawadi in carafes refilled from recyclables water containers.  The company is committed to finding suitable alternatives to the bottled water in the mini bar fridges.  The plastic bottles which are still used are recycled as flower pots in our nursery garden and are also used as construction material for sheds and other back of house structures.

LOCALLY SOURCED DÉCOR AND INTERIORS

Many of the artifacts and beautiful furniture that is seen in the hotels across The Zanzibar Collection are handcrafted by local craftsmen and women celebrating traditions and skills that have been passed from generation to generation. Sourcing items locally rather than from abroad, provides much-needed income to the local community. Many items are reclaimed, adhering to the policies of reduce, reuse, recycle rather than purchasing new.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD OPTIONS

Where ever possible The Zanzibar Collection sources its menu items direct from local suppliers; this aids the local economy. The organic garden at Zawadi Hotel provides this property with a range of fresh fruits and vegetables and the fish served is always purchased from local fishermen.

By eating locally and seasonally, the fruits and vegetables served in the hotels are diverse. This also reduces air miles on some items. By using local produce, this has led to a to more sustainable and healthier offering to its guests and creates opportunities for them to experience a greater connection to the area through the provision of local dishes.

In addition, the use of locally sourced produce means it is often organic and hasn’t been treated with pesticides or hormones, which provides guests of the Zanzibar Collection with healthier food selections.

ACTIVITIES WITH A CONSCIENCE

Guests are encouraged to take part in educational tours to discover the coral reefs in the area and see first-hand the diverse ecosystems that exist.

The local culture is important and provides guests with an understanding of the area. The Zanzibar  Collection encourages guests to experience the diverse past of Zanzibar and can arrange tours to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town, as well as on-site Swahili cookery classes and the art of palm weaving. Tours to the Jozani Forest, home of the rare red colobus monkey can be organised, in small intimate groups. All of these activities contribute to the local economy and provide much-needed funds to preserve and protect these areas whilst educating guests at the same time. The Children’s Program includes Swahili classes and reef walks and talks with our Marine Biologist.

MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAM

The Zanzibar Collection employs a marine biologist specialized in conservation and tidal ecosystem, there is an educational program for all the staff members, in order to sensitize them to the importance of the ocean as a resource and how to manage it.

The guests as well are welcome to join the program, they go on reef walks and are taught about the delicate balance of the tidal lagoon ecosystem.  Snorkeling the nearby reefs provide guests with invaluable insight and education into the diverse array of marine life that can be seen. By taking guests on snorkeling safaris, they can see first-hand, the assortment of aquatic life and the need to protect and preserve the oceans.

FRANGIPANI SPAS

Both Frangipani Spas at Breezes Beach Club and Spa and Baraza Resort & Spa use products that are native to the area, rather than commercially produced. This not only provides guests with a greater connection to Zanzibar itself, but also guests benefit from products that are hand-made and free of parabens, which are overall kinder to the environment and the skin.

COMMITMENT GOING FORWARDS

The Zanzibar Collection has successfully built a family owned and operated organisation which is founded on the basis of providing a conscious commitment to social, economic and environmental responsibility. It has proven that luxury, executed with a conscience, can have an immensely positive impact and will continue to develop its policies to ensure the protection and preservation of our planet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

The Zanzibar Collection

Email: [email protected]

www.thezanzibarcollection.com

CLICK TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE