Shenin Virji has worked with Serena Hotels for 20 years, combining her passion for conservation with a head for data to ensure the company’s strategic growth and development. As the Business Planning & Analysis Manager for Africa, she measures the impact of its sustainability activities against best practices to make sure they help care for the planet and all who live on it. Shenin tells us about the environmental changes affecting the East African hotels, and how the organisation is responding.

“When Serena Hotels was first established 50 years ago,” says Shenin, “the goal was not just to have a profitable organisation but to set an example. We aim to contribute towards economic growth and develop tourism while reducing our ecological footprint. The sustainability landscape is evolving and recently even the International Financial Reporting Standards introduced sustainability disclosure standards. We're way ahead of the game.”

Travelling between the Serena properties, Shenin has noticed the strains humans place on the environment. “Because of the population growth one would observe forest degradation. Water resources are becoming scarcer. But over the last 30 years the change I've noticed most is the unpredictable rainfall and increasing temperatures, leading to more frequent droughts. Late last year, Kenya faced the worst drought in 40 years and Serena Hotels and our suppliers provided food, water and medical camps for the local communities around Amboseli Serena and Kilaguni Serena, and we kept the waterholes topped up for the wildlife.”

“Before that, the melting glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro had transformed the Amboseli National Park in Kenya into a wetland ecosystem. New species of aquatic birds arrived, changing the colour palette of the landscape. But on the other side of the mountain, it was much drier than usual. We are seeing constant changes in the landscapes around our properties. And even while I’ve worked with Serena Hotels, I’ve seen the sea levels rise.

“An overlooked consequence of climate change is ‘eco-anxiety’ and mental health challenges. Environmental changes are causing heat waves, long-term droughts, rising sea levels and eroding coastlines. These threaten livelihoods, habitats, access to food and water security, leading to disease outbreak, malnutrition, unemployment, poverty, human-wildlife conflict and displacement. Some people could sink into despair. Others could be living with trauma related to extreme weather events.”

Does tourism compound these problems, or can it help?

“Change requires collective action across different geographic locations – everyone should be responsible for making a difference. But sometimes that's difficult to achieve. At Serena Hotels, we do things to show people that something can be done.”

Serena’s environmental efforts range from biodiversity to water conservation.

At the different properties, guests might encounter endangered animals such as great white pelicans, Rothschild giraffes, Northern white rhinos, wild dogs or mountain gorillas. “The park fees enable wildlife conservation, anti-poaching work and initiatives that benefit the local communities who reside and have their livestock within the park,” says Shenin.

“A decade ago, we launched our ‘Adopt a School’ programme with educational interaction in the wilderness. Our naturalist helps to oversee the school eco-clubs where students grow trees, visit our solar plants and wastewater treatment plants, and learn about litter reduction and recycling.

“Other initiatives include recycling and reusing water, avoiding single-use plastic bottles; educating fishermen against disruptive fishing practices and offering them financial incentives to protect turtle hatchlings in Mombasa; growing trees; and encouraging the use of briquettes to avoid charcoal production. Our journey continues and we have a decarbonisation action plan aligning with the latest climate science.”

“The CINET Global Best Practices Award stands out for me. Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, the first fully solar-powered lodge in Kenya, won the country award in 2018. The award was for using eco-friendly practices in providing professional textile care, through sustainable and energy-efficient laundry services for hotel linen and staff uniforms. The Lodge was built in 1962 and is a leading example of how clean renewable energy independence can be successfully achieved even in a challenging safari location. It was a trendsetter in the call for climate action in the tourism and hospitality industry in Kenya. Amboseli Serena and Mara Serena have since won the award.”

Have attitudes to the environment and climate change altered since you have been in the job?

While Shenin has seen a decrease in climate change denial, she has noticed competing priorities. Soaring energy prices, drought and food insecurity override longer-term environmental considerations. However, she is optimistic for the future.

“The governments within East Africa have made encouraging commitments in terms of the plans and regulations needed to progress towards net-zero carbon emissions. At the 2023 Africa Climate Summit, heads of state from over 25 African countries made national announcements and commitments. Now we have to see how the calls to action pan out in the next couple of years.”

Learn more:

Tourism Promotion Services

Economic, Environmental and Social Impact of Serena Hotels

Read the rest of the series:

“Change requires collective action”: Onno Rühl discusses climate challenges

“A future full of climate champions”: A conversation with Hristo Dikanski, AKDN Climate Change Coordinator

At the frontiers of climate change: Interview with Harpalsinh Chudasama and Mohammad Zaman