Mike McHugo on the Vitality of Sustainable Tourism

In this final episode of Season 3 of the Living with Sunny podcast, I had the privilege of conversing with renowned Sustainable Tourism Expert, Mike McHugo.

Back in the 1990s, while spending time in Morocco, McHugo, along with his family and friends, embarked on a remarkable journey by purchasing the ruins of an old mansion overlooking Imlil valley in the foothills of Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.

Their vision? To transform it into an eco-lodge and share its beauty with the world. McHugo’s brother, Chris, quickly joined the project, becoming an integral player. Thus, 'Kasbah du Toubkal' was born, acting as a cultural exchange hub between visitors and the Berber people of Imlil, attracting crowds seeking stunning mountain views.

"With the help of my brother we built this space and kept the local community at its heart. The idea was to let this space benefit both the visitor as well as the local inhabitants. We always had a sustainable approach, we tapped into a safe drinking water supply directly from a spring, we have done away with single use plastic from day one. And we started with no electricity, and today use electricity which as you know in Morocco, close to 50 per cent of it comes from wind and solar energy," says McHugo.

McHugo has been recognized for his sustainable achievements, including being awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Yet, for him, it's not just about tourism; it's about making a sustainable impact. "Through our charity, Education For All Morocco, we also provide schools for girls who would otherwise have no education in the region," shares McHugo.

Tune in to this insightful episode celebrating this incredible journey of sustainability, community engagement, and educational empowerment.