February 27, 2025
Reforesting and protecting Mangroves: TUI Care Foundation launches new TUI Forest Projects in Mauritius and the Dominican Republic
Sustainability
Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide numerous environmental and economic benefits, including coastal protection and carbon sequestration. They act as the first line of defence for coastal communities against hurricanes and can sequester up to four times more carbon than tropical rainforests. Recognising the importance of mangroves, the TUI Care Foundation is launching two new projects: TUI Forest Mauritius and TUI Forest Dominican Republic. These initiatives are part of the Foundation's commitment to promoting environmental conservation and supporting local communities to thrive from their neighbouring forest environments.
Building on the success of its previous phases, which restored over 100 hectares of mangrove forests and planted 3.2 million trees in the vicinity of Sanchez, TUI Forest Dominican Republic is now entering a new phase. This project, in partnership with Global Nature Fund (GNF) and Centro para la Conservación y Eco-Desarrollo de la Bahía de Samaná y su Entorno (CEBSE) is restoring an additional 100 hectares of mangrove forest by planting 400,000 trees. The project is also involving the local community through reforestation events with schools, training more than 20 nature guides, and introducing a mangrove adoption programme. These activities are creating over 60 jobs and providing nature-based tourism experiences for visitors.
Mangroves cover only 0.07% of the surface of Mauritius but play a crucial role in cultural values, food security and income generation. The TUI Forest in Mauritius aims to create awareness and education about the importance of mangroves whilst focusing on planting 20,000 trees to help reforest the island. The project, in collaboration with Association pour le Développement Durable (ADD), will establish community-managed nurseries and develop sustainable tourism experiences, including guided nature walks, birdwatching tours, and wildlife photography workshops. These activities will involve visitors and create 26 jobs, benefitting the local communities in the south-west of the island.
Alexander Panczuk, Executive Director of the TUI Care Foundation says: "Mangroves are a sometimes-overlooked ecosystem, and yet they are fundamental in protecting coastal communities and biodiversity. By supporting the management of community-managed nurseries specialising in mangrove trees and involving holidaymakers in reforestation activities, we can increase the global awareness and appreciation of these unique plants - whilst at the same time increasing income opportunities for local communities living around these areas.“
The TUI Care Foundation's ‘Forest February’ is a month of activities dedicated to reforestation. Through a series of project launches and educational activities, it emphasises the importance of community-managed reforestation solutions and sustainable agro-forestry tourism practices to safeguard forest ecosystems for local communities and generations to come.
Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organisation was founded by TUI, one of the world's leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands.
Founded in 1998, GNF aims to save the world's lakes and wetlands through the Living Lakes network, which includes over 125 grassroots organisations in more than 50 countries. GNF's mangrove restoration projects encompass community development aspects and focus on biodiversity and tourism to manage the impact on lakes and wetlands.
CEBSE is a Dominican non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable development and conserving biological diversity. Since 1991, CEBSE has worked closely with national, regional, and international conservation associations to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Samaná Peninsula and surrounding areas.
ADD promotes sustainable socio-economic development and environmental protection through project implementation, studies, and awareness-raising. The organisation focuses on community well-being and sustainable island living, contributing to policy formulation and promoting strategic studies and research on sustainable development.
