Committing to Change in the Maldives

At Tourism Cares, we believe that meaningful travel is everyone’s job. From the CEO in a corner office to the local guide leading a walking tour to the biggest OTAs and tiny Mom and Pop restaurants: every role matters. Today, sustainability and impact are no longer side projects, but rather business imperatives; and travel companies and professionals have an opportunity—and a responsibility— to integrate sustainability properly across their entire operations.

One way Tourism Cares activates this mindset is by inviting our community to commit to a specific action. At our Summits, in our workshops, and during a webinar, we ask participants to go beyond learning and make a tangible commitment to do better for people, for places, and for the planet. Earlier this year, one of the Impact Partners featured on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map, Secret Paradise Maldives, did just that! They committed to deepen their already impressive sustainability work by specifically focusing on their internal teams’ sustainable tourism education and the company’s impact on climate. 

And we’re excited to share an inspiring update on Secret Paradise’s commitments. 

Sustainability Spotlight: Secret Paradise Maldives

Visitors with Secret Paradise enjoy traditional Maldivian snacks with a group of ladies gathering palm fronds. Credit: Secret Paradise.

Secret Paradise is redefining what it means to visit the Maldives. While most travelers come for the beaches, Secret Paradise introduces guests to the islands' rich cultural traditions, marine ecosystems, and local communities. With small-group, locally guided tours, they give visitors access to places and stories most tourists never encounter. More than that, they model what it looks like to build tourism with communities rather than simply around them.

From the start, Secret Paradise has placed people and planet at the heart of their business. They partner with NGOs and marine research organizations, create jobs for local guides, and focus on education and environmental preservation across every aspect of their operation. Their work is grounded in four communities: guests, their team, local islanders, and nonprofit collaborators.

From Commitment to Action

In the months following their Tourism Cares commitment, Secret Paradise has taken meaningful action, including:

• Reduced Carbon Emissions
  In their second year of carbon tracking, Secret Paradise lowered their average carbon emissions per B2C guest from 0.17 tonnes to 0.13 tonnes.

• Impact Insights on Tours
  Guests can now see exactly how their participation contributes to positive outcomes, thanks to new "Impact Insights" embedded in trip details.

• Sustainability FAQ Page
  A new quick-view FAQ page outlines the company’s sustainability practices and journey, making it easy for guests to learn more.

• Partner Sustainability Resource Hub
  Created for advisors, agents, and operators, this hub offers free access to helpful tools, including:

• Kickstart Your Sustainability Journey (how to write a policy)

• How Travel Companies Can Protect the Planet

• 10 Questions to Assess Supplier Sustainability

• How to Sell the Benefits of Sustainable Travel

• Online Education Hub for Guests
  This educational space includes:

• Marine codes of conduct for snorkeling, diving, and wildlife interactions

• Information on mangroves, seagrass, and wetlands

• Citizen science guides

• Curated learning content from conservation partners

• Responsible Travel Pledge
  Inspired by initiatives in Palau and Iceland, Secret Paradise launched a pledge encouraging guests to travel sustainably and respectfully, with cultural sensitivity.

• Local Guide Training Program
  In 2024, they piloted a hands-on workshop for local guides and youth covering:

• Safety and guest engagement

• Standard operating procedures for guiding

• Responsible tourism protocols (e.g. Green Fins snorkeling)
  This program will expand in 2025 to further build local capacity in sustainable tourism.

This is what commitment in action looks like: measurable, collaborative, and rooted in place.

What Will You Commit To?

We know that sustainable tourism doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when individuals and companies take responsibility, make intentional changes, and share what’s working. That’s why we’re asking: what are you ready to commit to?

Whether it’s adding more community-based partners to your tours, reducing plastic waste in operations, or investing in team training on accessibility and inclusion, your next step matters.

Make a Commitment Here

Let’s keep building a future for travel that we can all be proud of.