Dubai, UAE: As revealed in Virtuoso’s 2024 Luxe Report, two of the biggest trends shaping travel this year include sustainability, with 46% of advisors reporting that climate change is causing their clients to travel differently, and culinary travel, which 70% of advisors have seen an increase in over the last 12 months*.
To cater to this growing demand for both sustainable and culinary experiences, luxury hospitality group Cenizaro Hotels and Resorts is launching a number of initiatives across the portfolio which spans Mauritius, Tunisia, Zanzibar, Bintan and the Maldives. Coinciding with Earth Day 2024, this April the resorts are delighted to launch new plant-based menus, with dishes that incorporate vegetables and herbs plucked from each of the resort’s on-site “Earth Basket”, and will be swapping the happy hour for Healthy Hour.
A tribute to the natural world, the “Earth Basket” is a kitchen garden concept where local fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown before being harvested an incorporated across the resort’s restaurants and spa. The new menus will showcase produce grown here, inviting guests to opt for a number of delicious dishes created with ingredients grown fresh on-site, from The Residence Maldives’ black bean & potato quesadillas to wild smoked couscous and vegetable confit at The Residence Tunis. Through this initiative Cenizaro hopes to encourage guests to be more mindful through their choices, offering a healthy and organic alternative whilst also minimising food waste and imports to the resorts.
When it comes to beverages, swapping the happy hour for Healthy Hour will not only allow guests to sip and savour local ingredients, but also cater to the growing number of sober-curious travellers. With 36% of Gen Z going alcohol free* the new menu provides all guests with a cocktail experience that best suits their preferences. Healthy Hour concoctions will feature an array of smoothies and juices to both quench thirst and replenish the soul, made up of nourishing ingredients such as chia seeds ginger, Matcha powder and turmeric. Expertly curated by the resort’s mixologists each of the drinks is designed to provide a picturesque sundowner experience without the hangover. Guests can enjoy a Wellness Booster on the Maldives’ golden sands with papaya and bananas before taking part in sunrise yoga, whilst those heading to Tunis can sample a traditional mint, lemon & honey concoction after rejuvenating spa treatments.
These initiatives are a further extension of Cenizaro’s commitment to inspiring change for a better, more sustainable tomorrow. Not only focused on giving back to the natural surroundings and minimising carbon emissions, the wider Cenizaro Cares programme was also created to enhance the welfare of those in need within communities local to the resorts. Alongside the new sustainable dining experiences, guests can donate one dollar per day of stay to support local beneficiaries and enrich the lives of underprivileged children and families from within the communities Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts serve and operate. As the portfolio continues to grow globally, the brand hopes the wider programme allows each property to become ever more rooted within the community, whilst allowing guests to make a positive impact which will be felt long after their stay.
