Project

At Addu Women’s Association (AWA), we are proud to be the Maldivian partner in the Erasmus+ project Green Leadership for Hotel Managers. This initiative aims to cultivate strong ecological leadership in the tourism sector, ensuring that sustainability becomes an integral part of hospitality management. Our contribution to this project will focus on three key outcomes:

1. Research on Ecological Leadership in Tourism

In collaboration with the University of Galway, we will conduct a comprehensive quantitative study on ecological leadership within the tourism sector. This research will gather insights from over 100 hotel managers across five participating regions—Maldives, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, and Ireland. The findings will help identify key areas for improvement and provide essential tools for competency development, motivation, and awareness in green leadership.

2. Free Online Course on Green Leadership

To equip hospitality professionals with the necessary skills to implement sustainable practices, we will develop a free online training course on green leadership in tourism. This course will feature five in-depth modules with over 300 minutes of video content. Designed for hotel managers, guesthouse owners, and hospitality professionals, this program will offer practical strategies for integrating environmental responsibility into daily operations.

3. Building a European Network of Green Leaders

As part of our commitment to fostering collaboration, we will establish a European network of hotel managers dedicated to green leadership. This network will facilitate peer support, knowledge sharing, and cross-border partnerships, enabling hospitality professionals to exchange best practices and collectively drive sustainability in the industry.

Promoting Sustainability Through Action

As part of our project activities, we recently had the pleasure of hosting our international partners in the Maldives. One of the highlights was our visit to the Huraa Mangrove, a vital ecosystem that showcases the rich biodiversity of our region. Our partners had the opportunity to witness firsthand the environmental challenges and conservation efforts that are shaping the future of sustainable tourism in the Maldives.

In a symbolic gesture of commitment to environmental stewardship, all partner countries—Maldives, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, and Ireland—planted a tree, representing the collective effort of the Green Leadership for Hotel Managers project. This act serves as an inspiration for hoteliers and industry professionals to adopt greener practices in their operations.

Erasmus Days in the Indian Ocean

Our Erasmus Days celebration was a unique experience, as we ventured to a remote sandbank in the Maldives to mark this occasion. However, upon reaching our destination, we found the sandbank submerged—a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and rising sea levels. Despite this unexpected challenge, our team shared invaluable experiences, strengthening our commitment to green leadership in tourism.

Through this project, AWA is dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future for the Maldivian tourism industry. By empowering hotel managers with the knowledge and tools to implement ecological leadership, we aim to create a lasting impact that benefits both the environment and the local communities.

Together, we can redefine hospitality with sustainability at its core.