SSTL
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You can contact us directly via email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call on (248) 4 28 65 00.
If you wish to submit further information to us, please use the form below. Your query will be attended to the soonest possible.
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The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification programme designed specifically for use in Seychelles. It is voluntary, user-friendly, and designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business. The SSTL is presently applicable to hotels of all sizes.
Our Vision
Every hotel enterprise in Seychelles integrates sustainability practices in their business operations.
Our Mission
By assisting operators in improving the sustainability of their operations with useful tips and advice.
Motivating operators to improve the sustainability of their operations by providing them tangible incentives.
Rewarding through the award of the Label, those operations that have successfully improved the sustainability of their operations.
The SSTL seeks to encourage and guide improvements in sustainability outcomes as such the project is as much an educational process as an examination process.
- Details
The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification programme designed specifically for use in Seychelles. It is voluntary, user-friendly, and designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business. The SSTL is presently applicable to hotels of all sizes.
Our Vision
Every hotel enterprise in Seychelles integrates sustainability practices in their business operations.
Our Mission
To encourage hotels in Seychelles to mainstream sustainability practices into their business operations to safeguard the biodiversity and culture of Seychelles.
- By assisting operators in improving the sustainability of their operations with useful tips and advice.
- Motivating operators to improve the sustainability of their operations by providing them tangible incentives.
- Rewarding through the award of the Label, those operations that have successfully improved the sustainability of their operations.
The SSTL seeks to encourage and guide improvements in sustainability outcomes as such the project is as much an educational process as an examination process.
What is a Sustainable Business ?
A sustainable business is one that uses its resources today in such a way that the business can continue to be productive in the future. Sustainability is about the natural environment, but also includes consideration to the human and economic resources on which future success depends.
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1. Management
The Management Section includes policy, monitoring, health and safety. This section requires some sustainability documentation that will ensure the hotel’s sustainability initiatives are undertaken systematically. It requires that progress is monitored over time and that opportunities for further improvements are identified.
Sustainability practices are communicated to the staff, guests, and other stakeholders with the aim of raising the overall awareness of sustainability and creating a positive impression.
2. Waste
Waste has a number of potentially serious environmental impacts, risk to health. The most obvious impact is the waste that is sent to a landfill. On a small island, landfill waste toxins can easily leach into the soil and eventually back to the sea.
Waste reduction is a widely understood and visible form of sustainable practice and therefore presents a good opportunity to foster support from guests, staff, and the community.
- Reducing,Reusing and Recycling are effective ways of cutting business costs.
3. Water
The broad aim of water-related practices is to reduce the amount of fresh water used by hotels. This reduces the impact on fresh-water supplies as well as the potential for water pollution. As with waste, the first step is to reduce water use through conservation and rainwater collection, and then to explore options for water reuse and recycling.
4. Energy
Energy typically comprises up to 50% of a hotel’s utility operating costs. Reducing energy use is the area that is likely to have the most significant financial benefits to an enterprise. Energy reduction practices can consist of ‘management’ practices that change staff and/or guest behaviour in order to reduce energy use.
Examples include staff turning out lights and guests choosing not to have their towels laundered so frequently. There is also a range of practices that require investment in appliances, insulation, heating, or other energy-efficient technology. These investments often pay for themselves in the medium term.
5. Staff
Staff and guest-related practices are of significant importance to the sustainability of a hotel enterprise and of tourism in the Seychelles. The Staff criteria aim to recognise fair treatment of staff and staffing opportunities given to local people to reduce staff turnover and encourage loyalty.
6. Conservation
Most sustainability practices focus on reducing the negative impact of a business on the environment or the community in which they operate. The community and conservation criteria reflect the fact that an important part of sustainable tourism is to make a positive contribution to the local community and to local conservation activities.
7. Community
A hotel can get recognition for the community and conservation practices, it is necessary to keep a record of such activities. This may include receipts or letters of gratitude from community groups, photos of conservation work, or testimonials from community members.
8. Guests
The Guest criteria recognise the importance of guest satisfaction to the sustainability of the business. Satisfied guests go home and recommend Seychelles to their friends. Word of mouth is one of the most effective forms of tourism marketing.
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- CommunicationThe first step toward uptake of the SSTL is to communicate the label message and the benefits of the certification process to accommodation managers and owners. This involves communication, stakeholder engagement, and awareness-raising. This process started in September 2011 with the launching of the Logo and Branding and is ongoing
- Application
The Interested hotels should apply to SSTL by way of a letter or email, and attach a copy of their internal audit results. This self-assessment form is the same form used by assessors only instead of points, the hotel notes Yes/No for each criterion. An application fee applies. The SSTL officially opened applications on the 01st of June 2012. - Assessment
The application and statement of compliance from the hotel is reviewed and if it is deemed complete, an assessor is identified and an assessment date is set with the hotel. - Verification
Assessment forms are verified for completeness and scoring of each section is reviewed. Once satisfied that the hotel has scored the required number of points the hotel is recommended for an award with an “approved” status. Should the hotel not score the minimum required points, it will be recommended for re-assessment within six months with a “pending” Status. - Assessment
The application and statement of compliance from the hotel is reviewed and if it is deemed complete, an assessor is identified and an assessment date is set with the hotel. - Award
An Awards Panel meets every two months to review the recommendations made by SSTL. The Panel confirms the award recommendation unless some irregularity is identified or further information is required. Where an Award is not approved, a written appeal may be made to the SSTL and will be reviewed by the Awards Panel. If an irregularity is identified, the hotel will be reassessed by a different assessor.
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The SSTL is a third-party assessed, points-based certification scheme. In order to achieve the Label a hotel needs to demonstrate that it has adopted a minimum number of sustainable business practices. Some practices are required for all businesses while others are optional.
Some enterprises choosing to participate in the SSTL will have no difficulty in meeting all the criteria. For others, sustainability will be a longer journey.
The criteria have been designed to be inclusive and encourage an incremental approach to sustainability.
There are three basic criteria that a participating enterprise must meet to achieve the SSTL.
They must:
- Fulfil all the 22 “must” criteria
- Achieve a minimum score for each theme (5 points for small enterprises (1-24 rooms), 6 for medium (25 to 50 rooms), 7 for large (51+ rooms)
- Score an additional six points in any area
A small hotel needs just 46 points to earn the Label. These must include at least five points in each theme area. For a medium size hotel 54 points are needed with six points in each theme, as for a large hotel 62 points are needed with seven points in each area.
This spread of points ensures that certified businesses achieve a minimum standard across all areas of sustainability as well as allowing businesses to excel in particular areas such as energy conservation, or recycling.
From time to time, in recognition of improved industry standards, it will be necessary to increase the minimum score needed for certification. SSTL will provide advance warning of any changes to the minimum scores and give operators the opportunity to comment on any changes to the criteria.
Application
The interested hotel can apply by way of a letter or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and should attach the following documents:
A copy of the completed Application Form.
A copy of the completed assessment form (internal audit results).
These documents can be downloaded from our site. Technical assistance for the internal audit can be sourced through our pool of third party assessors. We also offer free technical assistance for hotels of up to 15 rooms. Please contact us for a list of third party assessors or any further details.
An application fee applies. Small hotels 1 to 24 rooms 400 euros, medium sized hotels 25 to 50 rooms 800 euros and large hotels 51 rooms and above 1000 euros. 50% of the application fee was co-financed under the UNDP/GEF funded BD programme for the year 2012 and 25% co financing was available during 2013. As of December 2014, the application fee has been waived for the first 50 applicants.
Contact us for further details.
- Details
The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification programme designed specifically for use in Seychelles. It is voluntary, user-friendly, and designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business. The SSTL is presently applicable to hotels of all sizes.
Our Vision
Every hotel enterprise in Seychelles integrates sustainability practices in their business operations.
Our Mission
To encourage hotels in Seychelles to mainstream sustainability practices into their business operations to safeguard the biodiversity and culture of Seychelles.
- By assisting operators in improving the sustainability of their operations with useful tips and advice.
- Motivating operators to improve the sustainability of their operations by providing them tangible incentives.
- Rewarding through the award of the Label, those operations that have successfully improved the sustainability of their operations.
- Rewarding through the award of the Label, those operations that have successfully improved the sustainability of their operations.
The SSTL seeks to encourage and guide improvements in sustainability outcomes as such the project is as much an educational process as an examination process.
About SSTL
The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification programme designed specifically for use in Seychelles. It is voluntary, user-friendly, and designed to inspire more efficient and sustainable ways of doing business.
Contact us
Address: Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine
Botanical House, PO Box 1049
Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
Phone: (+248) 4 28 65 00
Email: jbristol@tourism.gov.sc
SSTL News
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December 16, 2019
Tourism department awards SSTL certificates to five hotels
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September 27, 2019
10 Questions Sustainable Seychelles
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