NPCC signs agreement with Tourism Authority to implement Operation COSHARE in the tourism industry

Ebène, 2 September 2021: The National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) signed an agreement today with the Tourism Authority (TA) to implement Operation COSHARE (COVID19 Occupational Safety & Health and Resource Efficiency) in the Mauritian tourism sector.

Operation COSHARE is an initiative of the NPCC in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority (TA). The project has been developed with the technical assistance and funding from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE).

The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will deal with implementing COVID 19 Occupational Health and Safety while the second part will focus on the implementation of resource efficiency projects. Operation COSHARE targets all operators in the Mauritian tourism and hospitality sector, which has witnessed severe setbacks by Covid-19.

“During uncertain times managing resources productively will surely impact the bottom line but more importantly it will reduce stress on the environment. Sustainable practices will contribute to make our tourism sector more resilient. The sector can consequently continue to grow and create more wealth for the benefit of our people,” the Executive Director of the NPCC, Mr. Ashit Gungah said in his welcome address at the Implementation Agreement Signing Ceremony.

“We have observed that several organisations are conscious of the risks at hand and have already implemented sanitary and safety protocols based on International Best Practices. While we commend the efforts underway, your (ndlr: enterprises and stakeholders) support is very much required to make these efforts mainstream across the sector,” Mr. Gungah pointed out. He announced that a project steering group has been set up with concerned stakeholders to coordinate intervention and ensure that resources are optimally deployed.

The NPCC had approached the ILO to develop this national project to support a reopening that gives priority to the health and safety of workers, travelers and host communities and at the same time help the tourism sector to safely continue in business. In the build-up of the project, the NPCC had focused meetings with stakeholders including the TA, Airports of Mauritius Limited, l’Association des Hoteliers et Restaurateurs de l’Ile Maurice and l’Association des hôtels de charme amongst others. The discussions allowed a better understanding of the situation on the field and broadened the perspective of the project.

“Operation COSHARE project will also focus on revisiting the current operational guidance and regulations for the tourism value chain to reduce environmental footprints originated by the increased use of single use of plastics (e.g., food products packaging), food waste and chemicals. As a start, all stakeholders of the industry will be sensitised on the sanitary protocols that have been introduced by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. For the safety of the guests and their own safety, it is important that employees at all levels of the hierarchy understand the importance of this document, and over and above all, ensure its proper implementation”, Mr. Morvan said, adding that the TA is pleased to be associated with the NPCC on the project.

The Agreement Implementation Signing Ceremony was also marked by an insight on Operation COSHARE provided virtually by Mr. Ganesh Kalyan, the ILO expert. The Director and Resident Representative, ILO Office for Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros, Dr. Coffi Agossou also gave an overview of the collaboration provided by the ILO into the COSHARE project.

Click here to read the speech of Mr. Ashit Gungah, Executive Director of the NPCC.
Click here to read the speech of Mr. Lindsay Morvan, Director of the Tourism Authority 

Click here to learn more about Operation COSHARE.

Operation COSHARE in the media

COVID19 Signature d'un accord pour la mise en oeuvre de l'Opération COSHARE dans le secteur du tourisme (GIS - 02.09.21)
COSHARE sera implémenté par le NPCC (MBC Radio and TV - 02.09.21)
COVID19 Signature of agreement for the implementation of Operation COSHARE in the tourism sector (Africa Press - 03.09.21)
COSHARE pour placer Maurice comme une destination touristique sure (Défi Quotidien - 03.09.21)
Le NPCC à la rescousse du tourisme avec loperation COSHARE (Le Mauricien - 03.09.21)
Reouverture des frontières une operation baptisée COSHARE viendra en soutien au secteur touristique le mois prochain (Radio One - 05.09.21)