Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism (SOST) by Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism (SOST)

Issue 12 ● April 2014 ISSN 2227-4065

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Ecosphere, Spiti Valley, India Basecamp Explorer, Kenya Lao National Institute of Tourism &Hospitality , Laos

Feature: The World’s Challenges are also Business Challenges

Point of View: Responsible Employment in Tourism

Green Showcase: Eco Village, Lebanon

Contents

Kumud Sengupta Managing Editor email:

m.ed@sostinternational.com

28 SOST TEAM M. Ivanova

Contents

B. Thomas J. Vaz

SOST April 2014

ABOUT SOST

Editorial

Feedback:

24 Point of View: Responsible Employment in Tourism

27 Market Intelligence:

SOST gets feedback from around the world

News & Events:

SOST shares news and updates on its activities

Diners willing to pay more for sustainable meals

Green Showcase:

EcoVillage, Lebanon

06 Feature: The World’s challenges are also business challenges

08 • • •

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism: In the Spotlight:

Ecosphere, Spiti Valley, India Lao National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality, Laos Basecamp Explorer, Kenya

(SOST) is an e-journal published by Market Vision for internal circulation and to our clients and subscribers. It is available to our website visitors on: www.sostinternational.com

Green Business Directory

Listing of Eco-businesses

Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism

Market Vision:

- Travel & Tourism Research & Consulting - Sustainable Travel Development – Advisory Services

Market Vision Research & Consulting Services FZ-LLC P.O. Box 32394, Dubai, UAE Tel: +9714-3911241 Fax: +9714-3911245 www.market-vision.com

Editorial

SOST was pleased to support the first GCC Ecotourism Conference held in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, on March 30-31, 2014. Addressing over a 100 delegates at the conference, I spoke about Best Practices in Communicating Sustainability for Ecotourism businesses.

SOST’s mission is to motivate stakeholders in the travel & tourism industry to adopt sustainable business practices with the message that sustainable tourism is ‘Good for the Planet and Good for Business’.

WTTC’s annual Global Summit took place in Hainan, China this year, and SOST was the media partner with WTTC for its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. In this issue, we showcase some of the winners and finalists for the Awards. Many in the tourism industry are increasingly embracing the sustainability agenda. Yet, many managers face considerable uncertainty over what they can, or should, be doing to enhance their environmental and social practices and sustainability goals. Our feature - The World’s Challenges are also Business Challenges – raises this issue and suggests that managers must understand what sustainability means, both as a concept, and as a set of decisions and actions that can impact their organization. In our Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism feature, we showcase Ecosphere in Spiti Valley, India, the Lao National Institute of Tourism &Hospitality in Laos – both winners of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, and Basecamp Explorer in Kenya, one of the Finalist for the Awards. In Green Showcase, we present EcoVillage in Lebanon, an ecotourism educational project situated in the Dmit valley of the Chouf Mountains, few kilometres away from Beirut. International tourist arrivals worldwide will reach 1.8 billion by 2030 according to UNWTO long term forecast Tourism Towards 2030. Several countries worldwide are likely to face a skills shortage in the hospitality and tourism sector; employment in a responsible and sustainable manner will become even more critical for stakeholders in the industry. In the column Point of View, we bring back the topic of Responsible Employment in Tourism, contributed by Andreas Walmsley, Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) at Plymouth University, York, United Kingdom. Last but not the least, in Market Intelligence, read about an industry survey in the UK that finds restaurants are 'drastically underestimating' the importance consumers attach to food waste. We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, we look forward to your comments and feedback. Let us know what else you would like to read about. Happy Reading!

Kumud Sengupta Managing Editor Certified Assessor & Consultant for Sustainable Tourism Founder-Director, Market Vision

Feedback

Excellent issue. Made for an interesting read. Amar Gupta Gurgaon, India Thank you for the opportunity to be featured in SOST. We are very pleased. Petronilla Gimichu Basecamp Explorer Kenya I loved working with you last year, and really valued SOST’s support as Media Partner. We would like SOST to partner again with us this year. Amy McLoughlin Responsible Tourism Awards Manager & Associate Specialist Wild Asia Malaysia SOST provides excellent exposure to sustainable tourism businesses and its great learning for us. Amjad Ali Ajman, UAE

SOST is a high quality publication. I would be interested in contributing articles for SOST. Anil.G PhD-Research Scholar, India I have been tracking the success of your journal while doing some research on the tourism industry. I am very impressed with it. Jenna Lopez Los Angeles, USA The feature titled “Tourism can reduce pressures on urbanization” was thought provoking and compelling. Please carry more articles like this in the future. Vikas Verma Mumbai, India Thank you for showcasing examples such as the Siraj Centre. SOST is to be commended for selecting such initiatives to write about. Anita Miglani Mumbai, India

SOST is read by a diverse audience consisting of professionals in the tourism industry, tourism business owners, destination marketers and academia. It has particularly found favour with those interested in sustainable and responsible tourism. SOST is promoted to (a) a growing database of subscribers and customers numbering over 10,000 travel and tourism industry professionals, and (b) online business networks with memberships exceeding 100,000. It is also read by visitors to its recently launched website: www.sostinternational.com, and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sostjournal. Twitter account @SOST_intl has also been recently launched – do follow us. Launched in March 2012, four issues of SOST were published in the year. Since 2013, SOST is a bimonthly publication (six issues per year). For sponsorship and advertising details, please contact: advertise@sostinternational.com.

News & Events

The emirate of Ajman hosted the GCC Ecotourism Conference at the end of March 2014, marking the UAE’s drive towards sustainable development. The conference brought together a number of specialists representing tourism ministries and travel organizations in the Gulf region, as well as representatives of hospitality, tourism and aviation sectors.

the challenges facing eco-tourism in the Gulf region, and the ways to protect wildlife. The conference also studied the shortcomings of the ecotourism industry in the Arabian Gulf region targeting representatives of all sectors in the Gulf tourism industry such as hospitality sector, travel and tourism, airlines and attractions.

During the event, which took place on March 30 and 31, delegates investigated

In its final session, the conference presented recommendations that would

Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has developed a programme of reforms in order to make Cyprus a leading tourism destination. As part of this programme, every hotel establishment in Cyprus has to take action in environment protection and local community support.

offering for their guests.

Hotels in Cyprus will now be required to demonstrate sustainable business practices that will ultimately lead to cost savings and a more authentic Cypriot

The standards cover a range of criteria including: reducing energy, water and chemical use, and the amount of waste generated; training staff and having a “green team” responsible for sustainability issues; sourcing local goods and services where possible; promoting authentic Cypriot food and entertainment and supporting local charities and community initiatives.

The winners of 2014 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards were announced at the WTTC’s annual Global Summit, in Hainan, China on 24 April 2014. Community Award Winner – Arviat Community Ecotourism Finalist – Abercrombie & Kent Finalist – Basecamp Explorer Kenya Business Award Winner – Asilia Africa Finalist – Cathay Pacific Airways Finalist – TUI Travel

contribute to achieving sustainable economic gain that can be harmonious with the necessities of preserving the environment and its resources. SOST presented a session on “Communicating sustainability: attracting and influencing customers’ choice behaviour’ at the conference, attended by more than 100 delegates.

Reference: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/ world-first-as-cypruss-hotels-take-on-newsustainability-standards/

Congratulations to all the Winners & Finalists from SOST. Destination Award Winner – Costa Navarino Finalist – Buren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark Finalist – Bonito

People Award Winner – LANITH Finalist – SA College for Tourism Finalist – Central College Nottingham / ITTOG

Environment Award Winner – Jetwing Vil UyanaGreat Finalist – Plains Conservation Finalist – Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Innovation Award Winner – Ecosphere Finalist – Chepu Adventures Ecolodge Finalist – Lapland Vuollerim Welcomes You

Feature

The world’s challenges are also business challenges

The world we live in today is ever shrinking, and although increased communication and globalization play their part, they are not the only reasons. There is a growing realization that everything and everyone has become very interdependent. With more than 7 billion people living on the planet, regardless of who you are, where you live, or what you do, you are impacted by and have an impact on the health of the planet, society, and the world economy. The decisions we make as employees, as consumers, and as citizens on a daily basis impact both business and the wider society. Consider this: People are wondering what is happening to the bees. Bees play a crucial role in the supply of the world’s food as they are essential for the pollination of one-third of the world’s

crops, valued at US$215 billion annually worldwide. Unfortunately, no one knows exactly why bee colonies are disappearing, and few people seem particularly bothered by it . . . yet. Since we are so dependent on these little creatures for the food we eat, perhaps we should be more concerned about the worldwide loss of these bee colonies. While there appears to be no single definitive cause for this potential disaster, intervention by man and industry through the use of pesticides and stress to colonies are considered to be factors. One of the results of this decline is that businesses themselves who used to benefit from free pollination now have to pay to bring pollinators to their crops. The world’s challenges are also business

challenges. Not only do environmental, economic, and social issues impact the ability of a business to operate now and in the future, they also impact their employees, the communities in which they operate, their customers, the sources of their materials. For this reason, managers and employees at all levels and in all types of organizations are placing greater emphasis on sustainability, and are increasingly interested in bringing sustainability culture and tools into their daily operations. Although many start because of a desire to make a positive impact on the world, they are finding that the results can be significant in terms of real business benefits, such as reduced costs and liabilities, greater

Feature

Many managers face considerable uncertainty over what they can, or should, be doing to enhance their environmental and social practices and sustainability goals. They often believe that applying new tools to address these challenges may be good for society, but not necessarily for the business itself.

service quality, higher customer satisfaction and improved corporate image. Nevertheless, many managers face considerable uncertainty over what they can, or should, be doing to enhance their environmental and social practices and sustainability goals. They often believe that applying new tools to address these challenges may be good for society, but not necessarily for the business itself. A lack of understanding of the potential benefits, fear of moving in new directions, confusion over the range of tools available to address sustainability issues, overwhelming and often-contradictory amounts of information are among the reasons why many are slow to act. Regardless of whether or not you have the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sustainabilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in your job description, it is increasingly important

that you understand what sustainability means, both as a concept, and as a set of decisions and actions that impact your organization.

Extract taken from The Sustainable MBA, 2nd Ed: A Business Guide to Sustainability. Published in 2013 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ. Author: Giselle Weybrecht This book is for anyone who is interested or curious to know more about the field of business and sustainability and how they can apply these ideas to their jobs, regardless of what they do or where in the world they do it. - See more at: http://www.thesustainablemba.com

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Ecosphere

Ecosphere, Spiti Valley, India

Ecosphere is a social enterprise that is a collaborative initiative of the local community of Spiti and professionals from diverse backgrounds and is jointly owned by these stakeholders. It began operations in 2002. In this interview, Ishita Khanna, Director and Co-founder, shares with us the motivation behind setting up Ecosphere, its sustainability philosophy and activities. What was the motivation behind setting up Ecosphere? Ecosphere is a social enterprise that is a collaborative initiative of the local community of Spiti and professionals from diverse backgrounds and is jointly owned by these stakeholders. Ecosphere works in a remote part of the trans-Himalayas of India in a region called the Spiti Valley. Home to unique landscapes, lakes, meadows, peaks, moonscapes, magnificent night skies, an ancient geological heritage, diverse flora and fauna, and a rich thriving Buddhist culture, Spiti is a unique haven of cultural, environmental and spiritual integrity. This natural and cultural splendor of Spiti however has another facet. Spiti is a high altitude cold desert region with average habitable altitudes of 4000 metres. A six month long cold winter with temperatures dipping to below 30 degrees Celsius, leaves the little over 10,000 inhabitants with an extremely short working season in

which to earn the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s livelihood. Traditionally the Spiti people were a self sufficient agro-pastoralist community bartering with their neighbours. Crops grown required little water and were drought resistant. However with the advent of a cash based economy these have been replaced by cash crops such as the green pea and apple, which are very water intensive. Water, however is a scarce resource as is agricultural land. Agriculture moreover is restricted to one crop a year and is solely dependent on winter snowmelt for irrigation. Shifts in climate and freak weather conditions that are increasingly becoming the norm further impact this delicate balance leading to a common occurrence of crop failures. This is further accentuated by the limited availability of alternate cash based incomes to supplement agricultural incomes. Over the years the local economy has been supported by

government subsidies and government jobs, however these are fast depleting leading to a situation where the ever growing aspirations of the community and their quest for survival are falling on the limited natural resources of the region. Ecosphere began working in Spiti in 2002 with the objective of responding to the need for developing alternate and sustainable livelihood avenues that responsibly use available local resources (natural & cultural) and protect the environment.

Ecosphere

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

What is Ecosphere Spitiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core sustainability philosophy? What are its key pillars? Ecosphere's initiatives in the region are three pronged: - generation of alternate cash based livelihoods for local communities from the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural and cultural environment - conservation of the regions natural and cultural environment, and - linking these two to ensure a more sustainable development of the region. In other words how economics can be used as a means to an end- the end being a more balanced and harmonious development which also values the environment and the natural and cultural heritage. So how do we link the triple bottom line of economics, conservation and development in the Spiti Valley? Ecosphere uses tourism and all the monies generated from tourism as the tool to assist conservation and development in the region both directly and indirectly. With a multi-skilled team of ten dedicated community professionals trained in various facets of running such an enterprise, Ecosphere works on moulding the existing inroads of the tourism industry and a little

over 5,000 travellers per annum visiting Spiti, by directly guiding over 700 travellers coming into the region with Ecosphere and influencing over 2000 independent travellers visiting the region, towards choosing more eco-friendly, community sensitive and conservation based travel. Could you describe the eco-practices that you follow at Ecosphere Spiti?

co-existence, essential for a sustainable future. In the context of Spiti which was opened to the outside world only in the mid-90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, tourism which is a recent entrant and is fast making its inroads in the region could be an answer to the cash needs of the region. However while tourism can be a money churner and if suitably developed and promoted, it can be a powerful tool for sustainable development.

Ecosphere strongly believes that in the current times amidst the pushes and pulls of a money economy, economics can and must play a key role as a tool in conservation, co-operation and

Prior to our interventions, limited to no benefits were percolating down to the local community in Spiti, thus creating a disconnect between the local community and the travel industry leading to the

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Ecosphere

community only bearing the brunt of growing tourist numbers. So, we looked at the obvious of how more monies could percolate down to the locals in a more equitable way valuing community cooperation over competition. Identifying natural & cultural assets and developing programs around these was our first step. One of these were homestays in villages which work on a rotational mechanism ensuring equitable benefit sharing. Close to 80 community own and manage homestays operating in six villages, and they completely run and maintain these systems themselves. Homestays are providing between 25% to 50% of annual household incomes largely in the hands of women. Changing climate and freak weather patterns have led to crop failures in the region and income from homestays has proved to be the pillar of support in such occurrences as was observed recently in the year 2012. Moreover homestays apart from providing economic benefits have also indirectly help to preserve the local cuisine, architecture and building styles along with maintaining the architectural integrity of these villages. A conservation fund is linked to homestay revenues where homestay providers contribute 10% of their homestay revenue towards this fund. This fund is matched by Ecosphere and further utilized for development and conservation needs in the village, decided by the village community. For instance a village chorten (stupa) was restored and built in one of the homestay villages.

What measurable impact has Ecosphere made on the local environment in which it operates? Indirectly the monies from tourism is used to support the following amongst other projects: • Building of over 80 Green Houses to provide year around access to green vegetables • Building of over 500 Solar Passive Houses & 10 Baths to curb burning of wood and carbon emissions • Nine Solar plants to provide electricity to villages and institutions providing green, renewable and dependable electricity year around • Alternate livelihood generation from indigenous crafts and ecologically conducive local plants and herbs Do you provide training to the local staff and how do you sensitive tourists to behave responsibly? In a community that was not equipped to provide for travellers' needs, training of

the local community especially the youth on interpretation, first aid, hospitality and hygiene formed an integral component of our activities. Ecosphere now employs over 50 local youth directly and indirectly trained over the years for running its tours, providing a greater outreach of income percolation among the local communities. Ecosphere then looked at how tourism and hence the economics associated with tourism could be used as a tool to address conservation concerns related to fading cultural traditions, identity and knowledge; addressing conservation concerns focused around the wildlife, ecology and geological wealth of these regions; to name a few. From this emerged various activities for travellers to immerse themselves in, along with providing the much needed incentive for communities to conserve these resources. Experiences and immersions in local culture, monastic life, wildlife, sharing traditional knowledge and ways of life were developed that could on the one

Ecosphere

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Ecosphere uses tourism and all the monies generated from tourism as the tool to assist conservation and development in the region both directly and indirectly. hand provide monies for communities and on the other, become a reason to conserve, be it their culture or natural heritage or the wildlife and environment which are the very resources on which the tourism industry thrives. What emerged as a bonus was that all these efforts made a travellers typical sojourn to Spiti all the more interesting, as it provided a unique insider’s perspective into the region, its culture and ecology. One such program was focused around the human wildlife conflict with the critically endangered Himalayan Wolf. Ecosphere developed a program around tracking the wolf, training and employing local youth that were familiar with the wolf habitats and also involved in a traditional practice of reducing the wolf population by separating the cubs from the mother by smoking out dens. They received prize money for this from villagers. On the one hand Ecosphere developed a

tourism linkage with the wolf to supplement the incomes these youth earned from this traditional practice and on the other hand, it looked into addressing the reasons leading to the livestock depredation – faulty herding – by financially helping the community to hire a permanent herder. In Demul village where they now have a permanent herder (50% supported by Ecosphere and 50% from the village conservation fund that comes from the earnings of the village homestays), the incidence of livestock depredation has been controlled and the practice of smoking the dens has also been stopped. Please provide some insights into your customers’ profile. What motivates them to book with Ecosphere and go on your tours? Our customer profile is very diverse – we get all age categories from 15 years old

as volunteers to 80 year olds both as travellers and volunteers (our oldest volunteer was 75). We cater to backpackers, budget and comfort category travellers. I would presume there are multiple reasons why they book with us: • The fact that we are a social enterprise enabling tourism revenues to go into development of the region – practicing responsible travel. • That our itineraries enable a greater interaction with the local community, providing a deeper insight into Spiti and it’s lesser known areas • That we provide activities that are not on the usual tourist trail. I also think that what is working for us is word of mouth - travellers who have been with us see the positive impact of their travels through the projects we have on the ground and spread the good word about us and recommend us.

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Ecosphere

Ecosphere initiatives cover myriad facets of Spiti's development, conservation and socio-economic needs ensuring a holistic development. Ecosphere Spiti is the winner of the ‘Innovation Award’ in the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, 2014. What does this accolade mean to you and your staff at Ecosphere? Ecosphere and its team are very humbled and elated by this accolade. What special projects are you working on? What are your future aims and ambitions for Ecosphere?

In Spiti, travellers now have a choice – a choice of travelling responsibly, a choice of directly and indirectly being part of preserving the region while one travels and leaving as small a footprint as possible. Ecosphere initiatives cover myriad facets of Spiti's development, conservation and socio-economic needs ensuring a holistic development. These include –

Ecosphere uses tourism as a tool to achieve a much larger goal, that of creating Conscious Communities leading to the creation of a sustainable destination. While ensuring memorable and experiential travel experiences for travellers, Ecosphere channelizes not just 100% of its tourism revenues towards its development and conservation initiatives, but also the travellers visiting the region are getting sensitized by the initiatives they see and in turn are getting involved with the needs of the region both by contributing financially and volunteering.

• Environment Conservation: Reducing carbon emissions and fuel wood consumption: addressing the energy needs of the region and providing renewable decentralised community owned/managed options such as Solar passive housing, Green houses, Solar bathing facilities, Solar cookers, Solar electrification and Solar-wind hybrids. • Wildlife Conservation: Conserving the critically endangered Himalayan Wolf

• Nature Conservation: Conservation of the local flora and biodiversity by sensitizing the local doctors that extract herbs and plants for medicine in sustainable harvesting techniques. Conservation of Sea buckthorn which was earlier regarded as a weed and indiscriminately extracted to it now being regarded as a high value plant. • Conserving Cultural Heritage: Revival of dying arts and crafts such as pottery, traditional music and dance forms and oral traditions. Restoring village stupas. We have been instrumental in working on restoring the Dhankhar Monastery and having it recognised as one of the World’s 100 Most Endangered Monuments. • Conserving Geological Heritage: Sensitizing travellers and developing fossil replicas as an alternate to picking up the real fossils. Development of a fossil museum in the future.

Ecosphere

â&#x20AC;˘ Water Conservation: Addressing the water issues in the region. â&#x20AC;˘ Garbage Management & Reduction: Setting up of drinking water refilling facilities to reduce garbage from mineral water bottles and recycling garbage as insulation material. Ecosphere's various initiatives related to handicrafts, sea buckthorn, indigenous agriculture, wild herbs, homestays and other tourism interventions have increased incomes of local communities especially that of the women and youth. Tourism usually leads to development of one or two areas with concentration of economics in the hands of a wealthy few. Ecosphere developed homestays have distributed the development of tourism more widely and ensured equitable benefits between the rich and poor leading to a more balanced development for all. This has also enabled putting less pressure on the limited resources as well as distributing the impact. Ecosphere has also introduced palliative care to Spiti and trained community

members and health care professionals to provide this service. Ecosphere also works closely with the old age home and in improving hygiene and sanitation by developing solar bathing facilities. We have also conducted health surveys especially on the status of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health in the villages. Last but not the least, Ecosphere conducts environment education in the schools of Spiti along with supporting needy and deserving children (especially the girl child) for primary and higher education. What is your sustainability message to the travel trade? Be the change you want to see!

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Lanith

Lao National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality , Laos

Lao National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality (Lanith) is the operational result of Project LAO/020, established in 2008 by Luxembourg Development with the Lao Government, to strengthen Laos’ tourism and hospitality sector’s human capital through education and vocational skills training elements. In this interview, Peter Semone, Chief Technical Adviser takes us through Lanith’s journey thus far, and its future plans. What was the motivation to set up Lanith? What is its mission and vision? Luxembourg Development recognized tourism’s value to the Lao economy, and launched Project LAO/020 with the Lao Government. It first commissioned detailed research into the country’s tourism employment and education situation. Based on the findings, the project formed a strategy that included both educational and vocational training components. The project’s vision is to advance service quality in Laos with a mission to establish a sustainable tourism and hospitality “Centre of Excellence” – Lanith – to educate, train, innovate, communicate, and unite the industry.

What is Lanith core sustainability philosophy? What sustainable

business practices do you follow? Lanith’s core sustainability philosophy is to explore and employ innovative avenues, such as establishing social enterprises and partnerships with privatesector businesses as well as educational institutes, tourism organizations and related associations. Lanith currently operates a five-star restaurant, four-room boutique hotel, and a function room in Luang Prabang, with all revenue earmarked for Lanith’s ongoing development. Vientiane and Luang Prabang hospitality businesses provide Lanith’s Diploma students with internships, and pay fees to enrol their staff in Lanith’s Passport to Success skills training programme. Passport to Success and Lanith Diploma fees guarantee their sustainable future, as does Lanith’s qualified staff and extensive

partnership network, which provides equipment, scholarships, internships, accreditation and training.

What programs do you offer and how do you ensure that students learn about sustainability and responsible tourism? Lanith offers two Ministry of Education accredited programmes: the Passport to Success skills training programme targeting Laos' hospitality workforce, and the Lanith Diploma education programme

Lanith

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Lanith ensures students learn about sustainable and responsible tourism by incorporating Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) global guidelines in Lanith’s curriculum. aimed at Lao students seeking managerial careers in the travel trade. The Passport to Success skills training programme offers two-to-four-days language learning modules in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Most classes cover food production and service and rely on hands-on training and modern facilities. The Passport to Success programme opens the door to better work opportunities by using an innovative approach that plots participant’s progress in the “Passport to Success” booklets. Lanith also offers intensive three-month Go for Gold programmes during the low tourism season, which assist private sector businesses in planning staff training and finding partial funding for their staffs’ instruction. The two-year Lanith Diploma offers three tourism and hospitality college degrees – F&B service, accommodation operations, and travel and tourism operations – and was developed specifically to respond to

the needs of Laos’ tourism and hospitality industry. The curriculum and course content were written after close consultation with five key stakeholder groups in the public and private sectors, including development partners, the Lao government, hospitality and tourism operators, industry associations, and education and training providers. Lanith ensures students learn about sustainable and responsible tourism by incorporating Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) global guidelines in Lanith’s curriculum. Among the GSTC criteria taught at Lanith are effective sustainable management and providing social, economic, cultural heritage, and environmental benefits to local communities, while minimizing negative impacts. Lanith also volunteered to take the lead GSTC certification role for Laos at its 11th Symposia that brings the public and private sectors together to

discuss Laos’ pressing tourism issues.

Tell us something about your restaurant in LuangPrabang. What’s special about it? The Balcony Bar and Restaurant presents a five-star gourmet experience about 3.5 km from Luang Prabang’s dining scene at Lanith’s Satellite Training Centre and hospitality complex. The 60-seat Balcony, which opened in late 2013, offers a five-star menu featuring European dishes prepared only with local ingredients. Within months of its launch, The Balcony reached No.1 status on TripAdvisor’s ranking of Luang Prabang eateries, while realising thousands of dollars in revenue, all of which is reinvested in operating the local Passport to Success training programme and all Lanith Luang Prabang’s hospitality facilities. Training fees and income from the hospitality components generate the

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Lanith

Lanith makes a difference in the lives of people in the communities in which it operates through many avenues. More than 1,000 Lao hospitality staff have entered the Passport to Success programme to upgrade their skills and progress in their jobs. necessary income for the satellite training centre to achieve financial independence by 2016. As a social enterprise firmly linked to Passport to Success’s hands-on training, under the watchful eye of a top international chef and Lanith’s core teaching team, The Balcony aims to raise the service quality of all the city’s restaurants and hotel F&B outlets to global standards.

What measurable impact has Lanith made on the local environment, in which it operates? What difference has it made to the lives of the local population and community? The United Nations Industrial Development Organization has established Lanith Luang Prabang as the operating body for the destination’s Safe and Green Tourism Scheme for best

practices, including food safety and hygiene, tourism health and security, and environmental protection through cleaner food production. Lanith is also certified by GSTC, and follows its global guidelines for making a positive impact on Vientiane’s and Luang Prabang’s environments. Lanith recycles its paper and avoids using plastic, and has also funded village tree-planting programmes in Vientiane Province. Lanith makes a difference in the lives of people in the communities in which it operates through many avenues. More than 1,000 Lao hospitality staff in Vientiane and Luang Prabang have entered the Passport to Success programme to upgrade their skills and progress in their jobs. Passport to Success and Lanith Diploma students represent a diverse mix of the

Lao population, including many from poor, underprivileged, rural and remote communities. Lanith also benefits Vientiane’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders – tour operators, hotels and restaurants, government officials, NGOs and donor agencies, and Lanith’s core team – by holding regular symposia with international expert speakers. To date, Lanith has hosted 12 symposia with speakers such as UNWTO award winner Professor Kaye Chon, Cornell University Hotel School’s former Associate Dean Dr Thomas Cullen, and Myanmar Tourism Federation Head Kyi Thein Ko. The Symposia also helps promulgate international good practices such as the GSTC’s principles and criteria, which Lanith translated into Lao. As the nation’s leading hospitality and

Lanith

tourism education and training institute, Lanith became well known within the community and civil society in a very short period of time and through concerted marketing and communications efforts. The result is an institution that has the potential to sustain itself far beyond the life of Project LAO/020 and contribute to the intellectual growth of tens of thousands of young Laotians.

Lanith won the ‘People Award’ in the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, 2014. What does this accolade mean to you, your staff and the students at Lanith?

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

team, as they are the ones who translated the skills and training they have acquired overseas to teach both those starting out and those already in the industry. They are certainly excited, but remain humble. Lanith Diploma students as well as Passport to Success participants are also thrilled as this accolade makes them feel they are an integral part of the future of Lao tourism, the nation’s second largest industry, and they are the “people” the award pinpoints.

What plans does Lanith have for the future?

Winning the Award is a matter of national pride. Lanith has focussed on human capital development since the project started, and “raising service quality through people” has become one of our catch phrases.

The Ministry of Education has such high regard for the Lanith Diploma that some of its elements have been approved for introduction into technical vocational schools in several of Laos’ provinces. We also anticipate Lanith’s campus will expand – in both student numbers and facilities – as demand grows.

As such, I am thrilled that we have won, as this shows the project is becoming successful in making a difference in people’s lives as well as in the nation’s young and rapidly growing tourism industry. I am more enthusiastic for our Lao core teaching

Designs for an independent school next to Vientiane’s Pakpasak College have been submitted and we are optimistic that one will be selected and built. We willalso continue expanding our partnership network.

Also on the board is spreading awareness in tourism and hospitality to more provinces, as much of the Lao public has an uninformed and sometimes negative view of the industry. We need to change this perception through a public awareness programme as Lao tourism and hospitality sector is the country’s second largest export revenue earner behind mining.

Lanith’s Passport to Success programme received one of four prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Grand Awards in 2012 in the Education and Training category. This award recognises that local trainers can effectively teach international-level tourism and hospitality skills to their own country’s staff, who have low levels of expertise.

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Basecamp Explorer

Basecamp Explorer, Masai Mara, Kenya Finalist

Basecamp Explorer is a unique adventure travel group whose aim is to support and preserve local people and culture. Basecamp Kenya has three Camps in Masai Mara in Kenya, namely: Basecamp Masai Mara, Eagle View and Dorobo Bush Camp in Mara Naboisho. In this interview, Norwegian Svein Wilhelmsen, Founder of Basecamp Explorer, shares with us his motivation to set up the organization and the key features of its operations. Basecamp Explorer started operating back in 1998. How did it come about? What was the motivation to set it up? Basecamp Explorer was founded in 1998, following a life-changing meeting with an old Maasai, Chief Ole Taek. Ole Taek was concerned for the future of the natural environment, the wildlife and his people, and inspired by his words I used revenue from the sale of Norway’s then biggest privately owned fund management company to set up tourist camps operated by the local community, benefiting both the communities and the wildlife. Our charitable arm, Basecamp Foundation, pours all profits back into the local communities in Kenya, in a variety of ways, including building schools to educating the community about HIV and providing funds for grass roots commercial ventures.

Our operations and projects help reduce poverty, improve health and strengthen local education. The Basecamp Group has grown to incorporate ten unique tourist destinations spread across four countries – Kenya, India, France and Norway.

What is Basecamp Explorer’s core sustainability philosophy and approach to tourism? Simply put, ‘leaving a positive footprint’ is our core sustainability philosophy. Basecamp Explorer’s approach to tourism is encapsulated in the concept of ‘Tourism for people, planet and profit’. The principle behind this approach is that tourism, the business, must respond to and invest in people and planet issues in the destination by empowering local people through training, education and employment, sharing benefits, conservation of

biodiversity, restoration of destinations environmental values, minimum impact tourist activities , sustainable/ state of the art technologies, innovations in cultural conservation and visitor transformation. In what capacity have you been involved in the local community? In 2010, 500 local landowners helped launch the Basecamp Naboisho conservancy in Kenya. As land in Kenya is being privatized, the zone around the Masai Mara Game Reserve can be split up and sold off, threatening the great Serengeti-Mara animal migrations and

Basecamp Explorer

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Basecamp Naboisho strongly supports female education and encourages their families to keep them in school through primary and secondary education.

the Maasai culture. Therefore, Basecamp work closely with Masai land owners, listening to their terms and priorities, building trust and understanding, to see how eco-tourism could be an alternative income for the area. Naboisho’s philosophy is that of supporting biodiversity, and the socio cultural heritage of the region while generating adequate income and jobs for the community using ecotourism as the economic driver. Basecamp Naboisho strongly supports female education and encourages their families to keep them in school through primary and secondary education. More than 70 female students are now supported by the scholarships which Basecamp aims to increase. The Koiyaki Guiding School which is also financed by Basecamp Explorer is the only school that is focussed on training

the local Maasai in the complex and demanding skills of becoming professional guides in the Masai Mara. The students gain practical experience and training through internships at the Wilderness Camp. Profits from operating the Camp are channelled back into the guide school, aiming to achieve long-term financial independence for the school.

What are some of the sustainable tourism measures that you have adopted at the Basecamp Explorer? Let me give you an example of what we do at Eagle View Mara Naboisho that has a valid self-environmental audit. The camp’s environmental policy illustrates its conservation, awareness creation, social development and cultural preservation. Environmental Conservation The facility is built on low impact to the natural environment; the guest tents are raised off ground on timber (obtained sustainably) and are made out of canvas.

The natural vegetation within has been left intact and the pathways are left natural with ‘dry elephant dung’ spread to demarcate the way. Waste Management Grey water from guest rooms is managed through soak pits whereas Black water from the guest rooms and public area is managed through septic tanks constituting of sewer line, access manholes, soak pits and radial arms. The facility has four septic tanks. The facility’s waste separation at source is facilitated by use of colour coded and labelled bins (tins, papers, foods – organic, foils). Resource Management The camp is mainly solar powered. Energy saving bulbs and light emitting diodes are installed throughout the facility and solar power rechargeable flash light torches are used by, guests and security officers within the camp as a move to minimise energy consumption.

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Basecamp Explorer

Approximately 90% of the employees are Maasai from the local community. The facility purchases food stuff and curios from the locals where possible, and helps in product marketing for women business groups.

Purchasing and Supplies Eagle View purchases dry foods in bulk, sustainably packed in cartons, vegetables and fruits are packed in re-usable crates while re-usable cool boxes are used for meat packaging. Do you provide Environmental Education & Training to staff? How do you sensitize visitors to the local culture? Yes, through our Environmental Warrior program. Apart from that, the camp provides ad hoc trainings for its staff. Topics focus on food preparation, and hygiene. All new employees are taken through intensive induction and regular meetings and departmental briefings are used for staff communication. The Camp offers village visits for the visitors; the visitors are entertained and sensitized on the local culture and values.

How do you support the local community?. Approximately 90% of the employees are Maasai from the local community. The facility purchases food stuff and curios from the locals where possible, and helps in product marketing for women business groups. Eagle View supports Koiyaki Guiding School through offering sponsorships, internship, attachments and employment opportunities. The facility additionally partners with Naboisho conservancy to spearhead community initiatives. It remits USD 34,000 as monthly conservancy lease fee to Naboisho Conservancy which is later remitted to the local community, individual land owners. Staff welfare benefits include accommodation facilities, food, heath care and staff uniform.

Where do your guests come from, and what motivates them to visit your camps and use your services? Most of our guests are from the Nordic countries, who are in their mid 30s to late 60s & of mixed gender and marital status. They choose to travel with Basecamp as they are concerned about the environment and the impact on the community, and appreciate the work we do and our commitment to the people of Kenya. What trends do you see for the travel and tourism industry in the future? Do you see a growing interest in sustainable tourism or eco-friendly travel? The tourism industry is growing and more people are becoming concerned with responsible travel. This will only increase,

Basecamp Explorer

particularly with travellers becoming more knowledgeable. Basecamp Explorer is already leading the way in responsible tourism by working with the local community and providing a regular income to the community members. We strongly believe that to travel, you need to travel responsibly and consider the impact your travel has on the community and the environment.

What are the long term benefits that tourism businesses can expect from adopting sustainable business practices? Can this be a competitive advantage? Yes, absolutely. Adopting sustainable business practices can be a strong competitive advantage. The key benefits are triple-fold: • Enhanced partnership with the community • Sustainable Cultural Economic benefit • High quality of guests’ experience

Basecamp Explorer Kenya was one of the finalists under the "Community Category' in the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, 2014. What does this accolade mean to you and your staff? We are all deeply excited for this achievement. It signifies that Basecamp Explorer’s contribution to the local community has been recognised at the World Stage. This great achievement further binds our commitment towards developing strategic partnerships and innovative Socialeconomic models for the local community, while at the same time offering exceptional travel experiences to our visitors.

What is your sustainability message to the travel trade? Sustainability is the future way to travel.

We must enhance partnerships in travel and accommodation to achieve long term sustainable goals.

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Some of the Awards won by Basecamp Explorer in 2013 • Eagle View, Mara Naboisho awarded with Silver Eco-rating by EcoTourism Kenya. • Basecamp Explorer Highly Commended in the category Best for the Local Economy at the World Responsible Tourism Awards. • Basecamp Explorer Kenya guide, Derrick Nabaala, awarded Ecotourism Guide of the Year 2013 at the Eco Warrior Awards. • Eagle View selected as one of the 25 Best Eco-Lodges in the World by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. • Basecamp Masai Mara awarded Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excellence for earning consistently high ratings from Tripadvisor Travellers, placing it in the topperforming 10% of all businesses worldwide on Tripadvisor.

Point of View

Responsible Employment in Tourism International tourist arrivals worldwide will reach 1.8 billion by 2030 according to UNWTO long term forecast Tourism Towards 2030. Several countries worldwide are likely to face a skills shortage in the hospitality and tourism sector; employment in a responsible and sustainable manner will become even more critical for stakeholders in the industry. We would like to bring back a feature from the second issue of SOST that emphasises the positive relationship between responsible employment practices and business performance, and makes a strong case for employee welfare and responsible engagement. – Managing Editor, SOST

Our contributing writer for the Point of View column is Andreas Walmsley PhD, Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) at Plymouth University, York, United Kingdom. Andreas’ interests revolve around the relationship between employment and responsibility. He has focused in particular on the management of human resources in tourism and the service industries more generally.

Historically, firms have been suspicious of corporate social responsibility seeing it as antithetical to business. Today however there is wide acknowledgement that CSR and business performance are not necessarily at odds, but rather that they can complement each other. Indeed, according to Hollender and Breen’s recent book ‘The Responsibility Revolution: How the next generation of businesses will win’1, the future of business lies in meeting the demand in the marketplace for socially and environmentally responsible firms. In other words, engaging in CSR will no longer be an option for the successful

firm. This is confirmed in a recent study on Corporate Responsibility Reporting published by KPMG in 2011.2 According to this report 95 percent of the 250 largest global companies now report on the corporate responsibility activities which in turn drives innovation and promotes learning, ultimately leading to an increase in the organization’s value. When we read of sustainable tourism we are often confronted with considerable efforts on the part of businesses to reduce their negative impacts on the natural environment. Sometimes we also see attempts to protect the host destination’s culture.

While these are necessary and laudable goals, what is often neglected is a focus on tourism employment. Tourism employment assumes a key junction between the tourism industry and host communities. In fact, tourism is regularly promoted on the basis of its ability to bring in foreign currency and to provide employment, particularly to economically marginalised regions. Very rarely do we ask about the nature of tourism work. We cannot however sit back and ignore employment malpractices in the industry if we are serious about sustainability.

Point of View

The good news is that the relationship between responsible employment practices and business performance is positive. It is very clear that in a customer facing industry, ignoring the needs of employees is a sure fire road to failure. Arguably, short term gains may be made through exploiting the workforce, but long-term business success, and this is what sustainability is all about after all, will only be upheld where management and employees work together, not against each other. Which business would not want committed employees? As Stefan Stern writes in the Financial Times: ‘Of all the no-brainers in all the executive suites in the entire world, winning the engagement of your employees must come near the top of the list.’3 Clearly, one of the goals of human resources management which ties in with a responsible approach to employment has been to find ways to improve employee commitment. There is no shortage of research that illustrates the link between levels of commitment and various measures of business performance such as customer satisfaction, reduced staff turnover and, ultimately, profit. What is then surprising is that managers, Stefan Stern adds, are ‘failing spectacularly to achieve that aim.’ The question then arises as to how to achieve commitment? How do we get

the employee to see his or her work as more than ‘just a job’, and assume responsibility for getting things done? There is of course no one, sure-fire way of engaging an employee. People have different needs and wants and it would be disingenuous to propose there is a magic bullet that would, once and for all, solve this issue. However, it would be just as wrong to claim that little can be done to increase commitment and motivation, that employees are by their very nature lazy and that the only way to ensure they get the job done is by means of adopting a carrot and stick approach. Rather, the following tips and mini case studies will assist in engaging and motivating employees in line with a responsible tourism approach to doing business: First impressions count. Therefore ensure any new hires are provided with an induction as a minimum. The Landmark Hotel in London offers a Welcome Day as part of its induction for new employees. This includes (amongst other things) breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, a showround of all departments, a welcome by the General Manager and last but certainly not least an introduction to the hotel’s vision. Furthermore, as part of the welcome process two training courses are offered: ‘Communication to

Engage’ and ‘Landmark Spirit’ which is a workshop created by employees. The Landmark Hotel has understood that commitment arises where an employee feels part of the business, and shares its values and goals. Don’t spend a fortune hiring staff to then see them leave soon after their tenure has begun simply because they had difficulty fitting in. The Jumeirah Carlton Tower has recognised the need to improve staff retention rates and has developed a number of initiatives for staff. For example, the HRS Excellence Awards report that Jumeirah’s open door culture resulted in colleagues feeling that they were able to raise concerns or issues with management. This initiative was taken further with the establishment of an Employee Assistance Helpline for colleagues and their families to call at any time. In a similar vein, Sandele Eco-Retreat in The Gambia reaches out to employees and the local community. It invites the local community to participate in activities that are hosted at the centre and gives employees the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making. By forging close links with the community, from whence the majority of employees come, a sense of belonging is fostered. Trust is built up and commitment developed.

Point of View

The message then is clear. Employees are key stakeholders of the firm and tourism that ignores their welfare and working conditions cannot be sustainable.

Many of the problems surrounding commitment arise through mediation. That is, the employee is removed from the end-product or service. It is little wonder that commitment is low when the employee does not understand how his or her work makes a contribution to overall business success. Employees need to feel that they are jointly responsible for the success of the organisation. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ EarthCare Programme is a case in point. Here the initial idea and its implementation were employee led. Employees engaged because it was something they cared about. Every Kimpton hotel and restaurant has EarthCare champions. Anyone can be a champion, from front desk to the general manager. The champions meet twice a month to ensure compliance with current standards, develop tolls to train new employees, and keep EarthCare fresh in the minds of all employees. The message then is clear. Employees are key stakeholders of the firm and

tourism that ignores their welfare and working conditions cannot be sustainable. Furthermore, firms that are seeking to minimise their negative impacts and enhance their contribution to society require everyone in the firm, from the managers down to the most junior members of staff to be committed to the firm’s values. Responsible tourism is everyone’s responsibility.

Note: these examples are drawn from the publication ‘Responsible Tourism: The Role of Human Resources Management’ which can be downloaded from www.workingvisionsglobal.com [1] Hollender, J. & Breen, B. (2011) The responsibility revolution. How the next generation of businesses will win, (San Francisco, Jossey Bass). [2] KPMG (2011) KPMG International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting 2011. Available at: http://www.kpmg.com/PT/pt/IssuesAndI nsights/Documents/corporateresponsibility2011.pdf [3] Stern, S. (2008) How to get staff to care about their work. Financial Times, 31 January 2008.

Andreas Walmsley (PhD) is Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) at Plymouth University, York and has also held positions at York St John University and Leeds Metropolitan University (International Centre for Responsible Tourism). His interests revolve around the relationship between employment and responsibility. He has published articles in peer reviewed journals, contributed book chapters and presented at conferences on issues such as labour turnover, career development, entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.

Market Intelligence

Diners willing to pay more for sustainable meals

Industry survey finds restaurants are 'drastically underestimating' the importance consumers attach to food waste Diners are happy to pay up to 10 per cent more at restaurants sourcing sustainable food and recycling their food waste, according to a recent industry survey. A poll of 1,000 people by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) found more than half would be prepared to pay a premium for their meal if they knew the restaurant was investing in reducing its environmental impact and taking its social responsibility seriously. And 43 per cent of respondents would be prepared to pay up to 10 per cent more for a meal in a sustainable restaurant. Customers also expect more expensive restaurants to be performing better on sustainability and feel restaurants do not tell them enough about the things that matter most to them.

When asked what they considered to be the top three sustainability priorities for restaurants, 53 per cent identified the problem of food waste, an issue that was ranked second bottom of 13 options in a 2009 SRA survey. Yet only six per cent of those asked said restaurants they ate in communicated what they were doing about food waste. The SRA says the average restaurant produces 21 tonnes of food waste a year, equating to 0.48 kg per diner. But it warns that not only are restaurants losing money by failing to get to grips with their food waste, they are also "drastically underestimating" the importance consumers attach to the issue.

outlining action on restaurant websites, or using a certification system such as the method of scoring restaurants developed by the SRA. The system is already being used as a benchmark to improve the catering operations of companies such as Virgin Atlantic and Eurostar. Mark Linehan, managing director of the SRA, said the onus is on restaurants to meet a growing consumer desire to know more about their sustainability activities. The restaurants that respond to the wide-ranging demands of increasingly savvy diners and communicate what they are doing effectively, are the ones that will prosper," he said in a statement.

Better communication could be a simple matter of more informed waiters,

Source: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2289780/survey-diners-willing-to-pay-more-for-sustainable-meals Article written by Will Nichols

Green Showcase EcoVillage, Lebanon

Green Showcase

The EcoVillage is an ecotourism educational project that started in August 2005 and is situated in the Dmit valley of the Chouf Mountains, 22 kilometers away from Downtown Beirut. It is a property of Fresh and Healthy sarl, a Lebanese registered company.

Karim Al Khatib, Co-founder of EcoVillage, says the project was started “because of our love of nature. When we were young we used to love to go camping but we could only stay for a few days as our food source would eventually run out. With time, we have felt a huge need to care for this environment that had given us so much without asking anything in return. “ He further adds, “it had given us a space to create, to play, to reflect, to walk, to swim, to discover mysteries of this world, it has taught us about the value of

seasons, the weather, the sun, the animals who live in it and mostly granted us calm and peace and a sense of harmony in the surroundings. When we got older and after staying on site for a few months, we have felt concerned that camping sites like this were rarely preserved. In a country where all seemed to be going the opposite way, especially in the city, the relation to nature in the Lebanese society seemed to have become outdated, people would care less and less about nature as they were offered too many choices for leisure and family activities only oriented towards excessive consumption and majorly exploiting nature in a destructive way.” Thus began the EcoVillage journey. The founders decided to do something about it, think differently, undertake research, and find a way to hold on to what is sadly being forgotten and neglected in the modern world. With friends, family and a group of philosophers, scientist,

“It is only simple to remember each day, with each step on a daily basis that Mother Earth is the source of life, it gives us water, air and good food and our duty is to give full recognition for the grace that we have been awarded.”

architects, environmental engineers, nutritionists, artists, yogis and craftsmen, the founders decided to put their hands and minds together to set up the project: a farm for organic agriculture of fruits and vegetables that can also host visitors who would be interested in ecology and the diverse natural practices that they would develop. The village was built around the farm.

Green Showcase

In this short interview, Karim shares with SOST what makes this project a Green Showcase. EcoVillage Lebanon’s core sustainability philosophy and its key sustainability features According to the Global Ecovillage Network, an ecovillage is defined as “a matter of living on the Earth with respect for all beings and natural systems…a mindful lifestyle, which can be continued indefinitely in the future.” EcoVillage Lebanon is engaged in this ideal for its philosophy is to value knowledge and interaction with nature through life and experience. It is this kind of perspective that EcoVillage would like to share with its visitors offering them the opportunity to understand and live in the local environment developing their own experience of Eco culture without harming nature and yet taking time to enjoy its benefits, feel appreciation and respect for the natural cycles.

Institut Mediterranéen de Certification (IMC), a European certifying body for organic agriculture, has certified the EcoVillage project in 2008.

turbine that is powered by a stream coming from the river. In this way, the EcoVillage can avoid 3 to 6 hours electricity cut off per day.

Key Sustainability Features of the Farm • Workers form the community are responsible for the operations, receiving visitors, accompanying them and teaching them the basics of Ecovillage lifestyle. They have their share in the production.

• The construction of the village is ‘green construction.’ Materials used in the building process are only natural, local and recycled materials. The whole process is a zero carbon foot print process.

• The harvest is the main food supply for the local community and the excess is sold. With consistent efforts, a seed bank has been created, so food can be produced on a long term basis. • Most of the food consumed in EcoVillage is grown organically on the property or bought from local farmers. This is very important as it minimizes carbon foot print and creates jobs, and ensures sustainability and quality on a long term basis. • All electricity used in EcoVillage is generated by its own micro hydro

• Laundry is air dried and guest linen is changed on check out or on request. • Water is supplied from a local spring. • Human waste is treated in anaerobic digesters and end product is bio gas and wild fertiliser. • Heating consists of wood stoves and solar heaters for water. • Non organic waste is separated and given to the animals or composted. • The river supplies EcoVillage with great swimming pools and fresh fish.

Green Showcase

Sustainability targets and measures taken to monitor performance From an environmental point of view Ecovillage is definitely sustainable. The goal is to keep this aspect progressing, evolving and adapting with the growth of Ecovillage. Karim adds, “For example, if we build more Eco houses, we would need to produce more electricity and host a larger number of people and then we would have more important loads of material to recycle and to reuse. Many Eco projects had started on this basis of sustainability but when they grew, it turned out to be difficult to keep up with the challenge. So it is a challenge that we are ready to take, knowing that the most important sustainability target for us is to ensure that EcoVillage continues its cultural and educational mission in the country and receives student visitors every year and be a living example for many future architects, project planners, nature lovers and visionaries. From an economic point of view, the pace of growth is progressive and this is

encouraging our next projects. We would like to expand and build other ecovillages but we think that taking it slowly is part of our philosophy to achieve a consistent and long term target.”

Staff employment & training

Weekly meetings are held in order to plan for the restaurant and the accommodation, and bi-annual meetings are held to plan for the coming season’s and year’s agriculture.

The rest of the staff are local students that work with EcoVillage during the spring summer season. We can say that we are 20 people forming the community, without counting the many volunteers who come to spend part of their time in the village working and interacting closely with the residents.

EcoVillage also monitors and keeps records of its electricity production and consumption as well as the fuel consumption of its vehicles. These records will be used as research material and database for its sustainable transport project. The American University of Beirut’s Engineering Department and the Civil Engineering Society and its volunteers will collaborate on this project in order to create a sustainable transportation structure for EcoVillage. EcoVillage may invest in electrical cars in the future.

Three families live locally on the project site and seven members of these families including Karim work for the project and three of the children go to school in the neighbouring village.

All the staff get regular agriculture training in their field of work including permaculture. The house keeping staff have been trained by organisations for tourism while the chefs attend several nutrition and healthy cooking workshops each year. The American University of Beirut also provides training to EcoVillage visitors “The Healthy Kitchen” in Batloun, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Faculty that supports local women in the Chouf area.

Green Showcase

The Guides attend many hiking expeditions with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and also transmit to the residing community their knowledge about different edible and medicinal plants and herbs in the fauna and flora.

During their stay, they can attend the workshops and activities offered by the EcoVillage team: agriculture, hiking, treasure hunt games, gardening, art, pottery, painting, cooking , rope activities and even fishing in the river.

Red Cross First Aid training, fire fighting, language and computer classes, and art workshops are also a regular part of the programs at EcoVillage.

An important experience of EcoVillage is its local rich gastronomy prepared with organic ingredients. The hiking with the local guides introduces to the visitors all the fauna and flora of the region and the heritage in the heart of the mountains. Visitors can even participate in taking care of animals .

Visitor profile, activities community involvement

Visitors come from the local community, schools, families and also travellers who are seeking a different experience. They sometimes come from very far away to stay in a tree house or a mud cottage. All guest visitors receive a tour on arrival that explains to them how the EcoVillage functions and its core sustainability features. EcoVillage also hosts many leading companies and organisations like World Vision and Boehringer Ingelheim, who come on work retreats or for team building activities.

Yoga and meditation are also part of the program in EcoVillage. Many guests also come to simply enjoy nature and to take a break from their worldly occupations. Photos courtesy Saad Salloum - www.saadsalloum.com Peter Hupka - peter.hupka@gmail.com

http://www.ecoecovillage.com/

Green Showcase

Guests enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables

Students on school trips walking down to EcoVillage

Tree house built from wood and bamboo

In the EcoVillageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen

A group from World Vision NGO, playing a ball game in the river

Renewable energy engine - Micro hydro turbine

http://www.ecoecovillage.com/

Green Business Directory

Business Directory

Urbn Hotel 183 Jiaozhou Road (near Beijing West Road), Jing’an District Shanghai 200040, China Tel:+8621 5153 4600 E-mail: reservation@urbnhotels.com Web: http://www.urbnhotels.com/ URBN Hotel Shanghai is a boutique hotel, built by the Shanghai-based hotel chain URBN Hotels & Resorts whose mission is to develop and operate innovative, stylish hotels that combine locally sourced and recycled materials with modern architecture and design to create contemporary spaces inspired by China’s past, present and future.

El Nido Resorts 18/F BA Lepanto Building 8747 Paseo de Roxas Street, Salcedo Village 1226 Makati City, Philippines Tel: +63 2 902 5900 Email: holiday@elnidoresorts.com Web: http://www.elnidoresorts.com El Nido Resorts is a group of eco-resorts located in the El Nido-Taytay municipalities in northern Palawan, Philippines. The resorts offer genuine, local hospitality and unique and enriching experiences amidst the beautiful natural landscape.

The Frangipani Langkawi P.O. Box 138. Jalan Teluk Baru Pantai Tengah, Mukim Kedawang 07100 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia. Tel: (604) 952 0000 Email: rsvn@frangipanilangkawi.com Web: http://www.frangipanilangkawi.com/ The Frangipani Langkawi is a four-star beachside resort that opened in 2006 along one of Langkawi’s best beaches, Pantai Tengah. It is the first resort in Langkawi to implement Green practices to preserve the environment.

Business Directory

Dwarka Eco Beach Resort Ambelim Beach, Mattimol, Cola Beach Canacona 403524, India Tel: +91 9823377025 E-mail: dwarkagoa@gmail.com Web: http://dwarkagoa.com Ten beautiful, all natural, medieval thatched cottages, with contemporary interiors, are set around a fresh water lagoon with each overlooking the Arabian sea and the lagoon, and beneath the rustling of hundreds of palm trees, which are on different levels, on several acres of land.

Ace the Himalaya G.P.O Box 1280, A- One Business Complex, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977 1 4423719, 4423720 Email: info@acethehimalaya.com Web: http://www.acethehimalaya.com Ace the Himalaya specializes in hiking, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, cultural tours, and specialty itineraries (honeymoon, photography, festivals, voluntourism and student). Ace offers both, pre-planned itineraries and custom travel planning services.

Eco Koh Tao Crystal Dive Resort Padi Career Development Center Mae Haad, Koh Tao, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 77 456106 Email: info@crystaldive.com Web: http://www.ecokohtao.com Koh Tao, Thailand is at the forefront of scuba diving in South East Asia, with thousands of people visiting this island paradise every year to take advantage of its world famous dive sites. Eco Koh Tao specialises in preparing and instructing divers and dive professionals emphasising the eco-diving aspects of marine conservation.

Business Directory

Dar HI Quartier Ezzaouia Naftah 2240, Tunisia Tel:+216 76 432 779 E-mail: darhi@dar-hi.net Web: http://www.dar-hi.net Dar HI is a design eco-retreat or eco-lodge located in the historical centre of Naftah town, in the South of Tunisia. The Dar Hi resort is laid out like a village and features ochre-coloured structures on pilars, enclosed by an exterior wall.

Polwaththa Eco Lodges 69/1 Wepathana, Gomagoda 20184 Digana, Kandy District, Sri Lanka Tel: +94 721 751951 Email: info@polwaththa-ecolodges.com Web: http://www.polwaththa-ecolodges.com Polwaththa is a unique and authentic experience that offers the best of traditional Sri Lankan village culture. The eco-lodge is surrounded by coconut trees and a wide variety of other trees providing lush greenery round the year.

Our Native Village Hessarghatta P.O.Box 8802, Bangalore â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 560 088, India Tel: +91 80 41140909 Email: info@ournativevillage.com Web: http://www.ournativevillage.com Our Native Village is an eco-retreat for holistic health near Bangalore city in India. It was planned as a 100% eco-retreat, with commitment to sustainability in every facet of its acitivity. Its Responsible Tourism Policy encompasses environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects, rooted in a strong ethical foundation.

Business Directory

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Ace the Himalaya

G.P.O Box 1280, A- One Business Complex, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977 1 4423719, 4423720 Email: info@acethehimalaya.com Web: http://www.acethehimalaya.com Ace the Himalaya specializes in hiking, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, cultural tours, and specialty itineraries (honeymoon, photography, festivals, voluntourism and student). Ace offers both, pre-planned itineraries and custom travel planning services.

Visit the Resources section on the SOST website: www.sostinternational.com or write to us:

Eco Koh Tao

info@sostinternational.com

Crystal Dive Resort Padi Career Development Center Mae Haad, Koh Tao, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 77 456106 Email: info@crystaldive.com Web: http://www.ecokohtao.com

Koh Tao, Thailand is at the forefront of scuba diving in South East Asia, with thousands of people visiting this island paradise every year to take advantage of its world famous dive sites. Eco Koh Tao specialises in preparing and instructing divers and dive professionals emphasising the eco-diving aspects of marine conservation.

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