Ecotourism Lodging

An ecotourism lodge or hotel strives to reflect the character of the destination while complementing a low-impact intinerary. The International Ecotourism Society, a U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 1990 to steer ecotourism toward conservation and sustainable travel, says responsible ecotourism lodging manages to conserve biodiversity, contribute to sustainable development of local economies and provide profits for all participants. This covers a broad range of practices, from limiting the number of rooms to keep the lodge's footprint small to making a hotel entirely locally owned and operated. (See References 2) Ideally, ecolodges are built using local, fairly paid labor and local, sustainably harvested materials. They preserve trees and other features of the natural landscape and are powered with renewable energy --- some are completely off the grid. The kitchen composts, and local, organic foods are emphasized to send money into the local economy and to cut down on carbon emissions related to importing food. Recycled gray water helps the grounds and gardens thrive, and low-flow fixtures are used in the bathrooms. Every detail is analyzed, from the amount of paper used to print brochures to the type of fabric used in sheets and towels. Guests are educated about responsible environmental practices. Low-impact transportation is supplied on tours. (See References 3 and 6)

The economic interests of hoteliers and surrounding communities are inextricably intertwined. An ecolodge strives to be a part of local life, supporting existing interests whenever possible and providing alternatives to destructive practices when needed. For example, in Kenya, safari tourism is big business and the stars of the show are the animals. Worldwatch Institute reports that a lion in the African wild is now worth far more as a tourist attraction than as game. (See References 1) When the local people benefit economically from tourism, poaching goes down. Land that might have been cleared for less-profitable cattle grazing is left wild while landowners run small tours instead of large herds. Conservation efforts increase as poverty decreases.

Costa Rica has been a leader in ecotourism --- and building low-impact lodging to complement it --- for decades. The Osa Peninsula, a biologically-diverse area of rain forest on a tropical fjord that houses more than 350 bird species, is one of the hubs of this industry (see References 4). Many Central American and South American countries have followed Costa Rica's lead, and a lot of growth has emerged in Africa as well, particularly in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Of the World's Top 50 Ecolodges, published by "National Geographic" in 2008, 14 were in Africa, with 12 clustered in the southern savanna and desert regions. Other countries that are increasingly concerned about the impact of tourism on their natural resources, such as Thailand and India, are building more ecolodges, too.