Spa Influencer: Sonu Shivdasani

Sonu Shivdasani did not seek out the hospitality industry. He did not purposefully become an environmental pioneer in Maldivian hospitality, resorts, and spas. Shivdasani studied at Eton College, Le Rosey in Switzerland, and later graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature. After graduation, he managed his family business- a multi-million dollar Nigerian trading corporation- with his brother in Geneva . In 1985, 21-year old Sonu went to the Monaco Grand Prix. It was here that he would meet his future wife, Eva Malmström, a high-end fashion model from Sweden.

Together, they would create the Soneva brand (a hybrid of their names). In 1987, they went on vacation to a little-known area in the Indian ocean – The Maldives. They loved it so much that they decided to lease an island of their own and build a home there.

However, Maldivian laws restricted foreign land ownership. The government refused their request to build a home but they were greeted with the opportunity to become tourism developers (Rasheed).

After bidding on islands multiple times, they were finally able to acquire the Island of Kunfunadhoo, now Soneva Fushi. The goal was “to offer a different concept, a very high-end model with fewer villas, but double the lease rental” (Leaders). Soneva Fushi became the very first “castaway” resort in the Maldives, and pioneered the trend for “back-to-nature holidays”. In the very beginning, when Shivdasani and Malmström were still merely eager visitors, fruits and vegetables were flown in, and came from cans. White plastic tiled floors, plastic chairs, and neon lights adorned the atolls.

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Locals were killing turtles and using the shells for jewelry to sell to tourists, and killing sharks for trade, sale, and consumption. The couple paired up with large tour operators and campaigned to stop the harmful practices.

Because of their intervention, the government changed the laws. The pair sought to “create a better-quality experience…” and “…something a bit more sustainable” (Rasheed). Sonu almost immediately identified a need for tourism to be a sustainable practice (Rasheed). Up until that point, the focus and goal of every venture in the hospitality industry worldwide, except for a select few resorts and intensive spas, had been capital and expansion. Upon opening his first resort, Soneva Fushi, in 1995, he implemented practices that up until that time were unheard of in the industry. There was a focus on recycling plastic and glass. The resort created its own cooking charcoal, limited waste, grew its own produce-fed compost from hotel waste, installed solar panels to save fossil fuel use, and audited its supply chain for its environmental impact . The resort, to this day, publishes an annual sustainability report. Unlike others, Shivdasani, does not see sustainability as a differentiator, but rather as a basic qualifier.

Environmental issues are at the core of everything Shivdasani involves himself in. He founded the Soneva Foundation, which aims to create a template for sustainable tourism in the resort and spa industries. The Foundation funds projects including a forest restoration program in northern Thailand, a windmill farm in South India, and cooking stoves in Myanmar and Darfur which have benefitted around 180,000 people. On the original Maldives resort, Soneva Fushi, guests can visit the acclaimed Eco Centro “Waste-to-Wealth” recycling facility. Sonu can be directly credited with the introduction of ultra-luxury tourism in the Maldives and beyond, the introduction of atoll tourism, the introduction of helicopters to domestic air travel, and the introduction of real-estate tourism. He also created the concept of SLOWLIFE; Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences, one of the main core values at Soneva.

What began in the Maldives had now evolved to become a multi-million dollar hotel empire with its roots extending to all the corners of the world. While Soneva was the epitome of luxury travel experience, it was Shivdasani’s next venture, Six Senses, that ultimately took the world by storm. Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas was sold in 2012 to Pegasus Capital for $175 million. By this time, it had grown into a chain of 26 resorts and 41 spas. Shivdasani publicly admitted wanting to focus on his original brand, Soneva. After years of dedication, he handed over Six Senses, with the knowledge that he had created a completely sustainable business, and had paved the way for the future. Others would model his practices for years to come. Though many would imitate, none could ever duplicate what he had created. Shivdasani’s philosophy now, as he is solely focused on Soneva, is: ‘One owner, one operator, one philosophy, one brand’.

Sonu Shivdasani is a pioneer in the resort & spa industry. The entire industry seeks to imitate the Soneva business practices. He has been a key player in setting the standards that other businesses adhere to. The Maldivian spa culture would be completely different if anyone else had been the first person to develop a brand there. For all we know, it could have ended very badly for the Maldivian people and their environment. The original developer could have been someone with zero regard for the environment, the economy, the locals, and the future. His focus on the environment, sustainability, and socioeconomic issues set the standard for how others would come to own and operate their businesses in pristine habitats. I chose to focus on him because I believe that the level of service at any Six Senses Resort & Spa, as well as Soneva properties, is unparalleled. The attention to detail truly creates an experience that heals your mind, body, soul, and spirit. It would be impossible to leave one of his properties with any impression less than perfection. I cannot wait to visit any of his properties someday.

References

1. Rasheed, A. A. (2018, February 16). The Sonu Shivdasani Story. Retrieved from https://www.hoteliermaldives.com/soneva-sonu-shivdasani-story/
2. Ambler, P. (2018, July 11). Luxury Resort Owner Takes Going Green To The Extreme. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamelaambler/2018/07/10/luxury-resort- owner-takes-going-green-to-the-extreme/#4743b90d647b
3. Leaders in Luxury: Sonu Shivdasani. (2014, February 04). Retrieved from https://www.elitetraveler.com/leaders-in-luxury/sonu-shivdasani
4. The Dream Maker: Soneva’s Sonu Shivdasani. (2016, June 3). Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/the-dream-maker-soneva-s-sonu-shivdasani- 633937.html