Six Senses Maldives Conservation Program

These Maldives Resorts are Turning Conservation Into a Guest Experience

Six Senses Kanuhura and Laamu Are Running the World’s First Resort-Led 3D Reef Monitoring Program.

Six Senses Kanuhura
Six Senses Kanuhura
Six Senses Laamu
Six Senses Laamu

Two Six Senses properties in the Maldives are redefining what responsible luxury travel actually looks like – and the numbers back it up.

At Six Senses Kanuhura, the newly launched Kanuhura Coral Census is the first long-term 3D reef monitoring program ever implemented by a resort, anywhere in the world. Using advanced imaging and AI, it creates living digital replicas of coral reefs – continuously updated records of reef health, biodiversity, and resilience. The data informs a smarter, longer-view approach to reef restoration rather than reactive fixes after damage is done.

At Six Senses Laamu, the focus is education and community impact. The resort’s SHELL (Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu) is a 2,336-square-foot marine education and conservation centre that has welcomed over 6,000 guests and local community members since opening. Through the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), a resident team of marine biologists works with NGO partners including Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and the Olive Ridley Project.

The outcomes so far: more than 10,000 baby corals grown across five species, over 12 million coral larvae released onto the resort’s house reef, and catalogues of 1,000-plus turtles and 140 manta rays in Laamu Atoll. The SHELL’s “Hello Haldu” education programme has reached 237 students across every school in the atoll.

For guests, that means a stay where conservation isn’t a talking point – it’s the experience. Reef dives alongside resident marine biologists, coral planting sessions, sea turtle monitoring: these are activities built into the fabric of both resorts, not optional add-ons.

Six Senses Kanuhura and Six Senses Laamu are located in the Maldives. More at sixsenses.com.

Türkiye Is Officially the World Leader in Sustainable Hotels

The country has surpassed 2,000 GSTC-certified properties — a global first in responsible hospitality.

When it comes to sustainability, destinations like Costa Rica and Iceland often dominate the conversation. But Türkiye has quietly achieved something unprecedented: it’s now home to more than 2,000 hotels certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) — the first country in the world to implement a nationwide sustainable tourism program recognized by the GSTC.

In 2022, Türkiye became the first nation to sign an official agreement with the GSTC, setting out to align its entire tourism industry — from boutique guesthouses to luxury resorts — with globally recognized environmental and social standards. Two years later, that vision is becoming reality.

“Sustainability isn’t just a trend — it’s a journey,” says Dr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism. “We’re proud to lead a global movement that protects our natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.”

Unlike most voluntary certification programs, Türkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Program is mandatory. Every accommodation provider must meet clear benchmarks in energy use, waste reduction, community impact, and cultural preservation.

Certification happens in three phases:

  • Phase 1: baseline compliance

  • Phase 2: verified audits

  • Phase 3: full GSTC certification

More than 16,000 hotels have begun the process, with 2,000 already reaching the top level.

​Six Senses Kaplankaya
Argos Cave Hotel

Across the country, the impact is tangible. Cappadocia’s cave hotels are switching to solar power, Antalya’s beach resorts are cutting single-use plastics, and properties like Six Senses Kaplankaya and Argos in Cappadocia are proving that luxury and low impact can coexist.

Meanwhile, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) supports local businesses through training and awareness campaigns, helping make sustainability an everyday standard rather than an aspiration.

For travellers, this milestone means more than just green labels — it guarantees that every certified stay meets international sustainability criteria. The UN World Tourism Organization has already cited Türkiye’s model as an example for other nations looking to balance growth with responsibility.

From Aegean resorts to Istanbul boutique stays, Türkiye is showing how a destination can scale luxury and sustainability in equal measure.