SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM (SOST) ISSUE 16, JAN-FEB 2015 by Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism (SOST)

Issue 16 ● January-February 2015 ISSN 2227-4065

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Andaman Discoveries, Thailand Chandra Ban Eco-Resort, Nepal

Feature: Ock Pop Tok, Laos

‘

Point of View: Terrorizing Sustainable Tourism

Green Showcase: Bardia Eco Lodge, Nepal

Contents

Kumud Sengupta Managing Editor email:

m.ed@sostinternational.com

Contents

January-February 2015

ABOUT SOST Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism (SOST) is an e-journal published by

Editorial

Feedback:

Market Vision for internal Point of View:

Terrorizing sustainable tourism

SOST gets feedback from around the world

News & Events:

SOST shares news and updates from around the world

subscribers.

Market Intelligence:

Customers demand more sustainable supply chains

circulation and to our clients and

Green Showcase:

It is available to our website visitors on: www.sostinternational.com

Bardia Eco Lodge, Nepal

07 Feature: Ock Pop Tok, Laos

12 • •

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism: In the Spotlight:

Andaman Discoveries, Thailand Chandra Ban Eco-Resort, Nepal

Green Business Directory Market Vision Research &

Listing of Eco-businesses

Market Vision:

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

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

Editorial

According to the UNWTO, international tourism is estimated to have hit a new record in 2014 with over 1.1 billion international tourists travelling the world in one single year. This is remarkable, given that different parts of the world continue to face significant geopolitical and health challenges, while the global economic recovery remains rather fragile and uneven.

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’.

Going into the new year, SOST will endeavour to continue to showcase best practices in sustainable tourism globally. We have covered tourism businesses in over 20 countries in the past fifteen issues of SOST! In the current issue, our main feature is on Ock Pop Tok in Laos – a social enterprise that produces beautiful, handmade textiles and artisan products, and the winner under the “Best in Cultural Preservation” category in the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards, 2014. In our Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism feature, we showcase Andaman Discoveries located in Thailand which has a number of awards and recognitions, including being a finalist in the category Best in Cultural Preservation in Wild Asia 2014 awards, and Chandra Ban Eco-Resort, Nepal – an eco lodge started by a European couple, who wanted to show the best aspects of Nepal and its culture to their guests. In Green Showcase, we present Bardia Eco Lodge in Nepal that demonstrates the use of different eco-friendly technologies and techniques, and provides support to the local community and environment. In the column Point of View, contributing author Muna Haddad shares with our readers the extent to which media and terrorism affect sustainable tourism. Her article focuses on tourism in Jordan and Kenya in particular. 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

We are very happy with the article and thank you for including us. We look forward to reading future issues of SOST. Ann Schioldann Awang Awang Bali, Indonesia Spotlight on Sustainable Tourism (SOST) brings critical attention to the growing interest in sustainable tourism and the value that responsible operations add to the overall products offered by tourism operators, hotels, lodges and alike. Through SOST raising awareness of sustainable tourism, greater will be its importance in the guests’ decision making on their travel plans. Brett Wallington Damaraland Camp Namibia SOST fulfils an important need by highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism. It is very relevant in today’s world. Debbie Brown Dubai, UAE

SOST is liked by: Zubair Khan Nakheel Group, Lucknow, UP, India D’Arcy Dornan Tourism, hospitality & education specialist, São Paulo Area, Brazil Justine Lichtenberger Cofounder chez Hopineo, Paris Area, France Hamrouni Fethi Expert in Center for Studies of International Investment and Partnership, Tunisia David G. Ricalde Environmental Consultant; & Marketing Manager at America Tours (Bolivia) and EcoAmerica Peru, Vancouver, Canada

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 among 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 website: www.sostinternational.com, and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sostjournal. Twitter account @SOST_intl has also been 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

UNWTO and UNESCO to organize first World Conference on Tourism and Culture The First World Conference on Tourism and Culture will be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, 4-6 February 2015. Cultural tourism can contribute to inclusive economic growth, social development and cultural preservation. The first UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture will provide an unprecedented global platform for policymakers, experts and practitioners in tourism and culture to meet and identify the key challenges and opportunities for stronger cooperation between these highly interlinked areas. Over the course of two days, participants will explore different roles and mandates on five key topics – governance and partnership models, cultural preservation, living cultures and creative industries, cultural routes and urban regeneration through cultural tourism.

Confirmed speakers include King Simeon II, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, John Delaney, Senior Vice President of Seabourn, and Elizabeth Becker, award-winning author and former correspondent for the New York Times. UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, said "This milestone event will provide a unique opportunity for tourism and culture stakeholders from all regions to discuss how to further harness the power of tourism and culture to alleviate poverty, create jobs, protect heritage and promote international understanding, contributing to the post-2015 development agenda". Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General: “This vision guides our efforts to promote culture as a driver and as an enabler of sustainable development, and is especially important at this time of

change when countries are shaping a new global sustainable development agenda to follow 2015.“ Hosted by the Kingdom of Cambodia in Siem Reap, home of UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, the Conference will count on the presence of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Source: http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4068284.html

ESTC15 to be held in Quito, Ecuador, April 27-30, 2015 The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC), organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), is a unique annual conference focused on the advancement of sustainability goals for the tourism industry. Offering invaluable learning and networking opportunities, the ESTC is a leading international meeting place where innovative minds gather to discuss ideas and solutions that inspire change. Promoting policies and practices benefiting businesses and communities, the ESTC helps to reinforce the role of tourism in building a more sustainable future. In 2015, the ESTC will be held in Quito, Ecuador, from April 27-30, and will bring together 600 professionals from around the world.

With a strong focus on highlighting and promoting ecotourism’s role in sustainable development, the ESTC15 aims to strengthen the industry’s commitment to sustainable community development efforts in accordance with the UN resolution, "Promotion of Ecotourism for Poverty Eradication and Environment Protection." With this resolution in mind, the theme for ESTC15 will be: The Future We Want: Effecting Positive Change through Ecotourism. ESTC15 SUB-THEMES INCLUDE:  Eradicating Hunger

Extreme

Poverty

and

 Ensuring Health and a Sense of Wellbeing for all Individuals

 Conserving, Protecting, & Sustaining Ecosystems, Places and Cultures  Enhancing Fair and Equal Access to Education  Maximizing Local Economic Benefits while Enhancing Sustainable Infrastructure Development More information on: http://www.ecotourismconference.org

Ock Pop Tok

Feature

Ock Pop Tok, Laos Brandon Sousa , Social Media Consultant

Ock Pop Tok is a Lao-based social enterprise that produces beautiful, handmade textiles and artisan products. Established in 2000, Ock Pop Tok operates on a platform of fair trade, creating opportunities for local weavers to advance their skills, sourcing the finest raw materials, and providing a sustainable source of income for women artisans and their communities. With two boutiques, a villa for guests, a top-rated café, and a creative arts and learning centre in Luang Prabang, the company strives to raise the profile of Lao textiles and artisans within the country and abroad.

How did Ock Pop Tok come about? What was the motivation to set it up? What is its mission and vision? Founded in 2000 by Englishwoman Joanna (Jo) Smith and Laotian Veomanee (Veo) Douangdala, Ock Pop Tok has grown from a small shop selling only a few designs, to becoming one of the most important textile and artisan institutions in all of Laos and South East Asia. Meaning “East Meets West” in Lao, Ock Pop Tok (OPT) was founded on principles of fair trade and sustainable business practices, and was pioneering social business and ethical fashion before these terms were even a part of our cultural lexicon. The partnership between these two women dates back to 1999 when Jo was on an EU funded assignment to photograph development projects in northern Laos. Unbeknownst to Jo, Veo was carving out her own unique niche and

making a name for herself among the Lao artisan community. Coming from a family rich with textile and artisan roots, Veo was constantly challenging traditional ways and methods such as creating unique sinhs and patterns that differentiated her from her peers. While Veo was busy trailblazing a new path for Lao textiles, Jo was becoming increasingly enamoured with the intricate weavings and the women who produce them. Veo’s creativity attracted Jo like a magnet, who was looking for likeminded artists to collaborate with. Both women shared a love for the traditional handloomed textiles and were committed to preserving and promoting these textiles to the rest of the world. Seeing the opportunity and the beautiful, unique textiles that sprouted from early collaborations was inspiring to both women, so when Veo asked Jo if she wanted to work together on a permanent

basis, the answer was “Of course I do!” Veo and Jo realized early on that in order for handloom textiles to survive and thrive as a craft, they had to create economic value for the textiles. Weaving, which is done primarily by village women, is often considered domestic work that is not representative of progress or economic advancement. By operating on fair trade principles specifically by providing competitive wages, opportunities for continued learning and professional development OPT gave village weavers, most of whom are women, the ability to earn a sustainable livelihood for their families and communities. And, by opening a

Feature

Ock Pop Tok

venue where visitors could see and practice the craft, the two were able to educate visitors about the cultural and the artistic value of the textiles. Beginning as a small storefront in Luang Prabang, OPT has evolved to include two shops in the historic district of Luang Prabang, and also the iconic Living Crafts Centre (LCC) situated along the banks of the Mekong River. In addition to curating a beautiful selection of handloomed textiles from over twelve ethnic groups in Laos, OPT also offers visitors a instructional experiences in silk and cotton weaving, dyeing, Hmong batik and bamboo weaving. In 2006, OPT initiated the Village Weavers Project to provide design and marketing assistance in over eleven provinces in Lao. Through the Village Weavers Project, OPT is able to create a product line representative of Laosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diverse ethnic groups and generate sustainable income for rural communities. Also in 2006, OPT created Fibre2Fabric, a registered charity whose mission is to collect, preserve and document heritage textiles in Laos. OPT is dedicated to creating opportunities for learning and professional development

for their staff. Each year, Jo and Veo take members of their weaving team to the International Folk Art Festival, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. For the weavers, it is often the first time they have ever left South East Asia. In Santa Fe, the Lao artisans are able to interact with fellow artisans and buyers from around the world. This opportunity for

cultural and artistic collaboration is invaluable in their personal and professional experience. OPT provides the entire staff with ongoing professional training, whether it is English classes, sales and hospitality training or attending regional trade shows. This is critical to the success of each individual staff, the business and the greater Lao tourism sector.

Ock Pop Tok

Feature

What is Ock Pop Tok’s core sustainability philosophy? What sustainable business practices do you follow? As part of our sustainable development policy, Ock Pop Tok has made a commitment to making all our activities environmentally friendly, in particular by filtering wastewater through sand and charcoal pits, using E.U. approved chemical dyes, composting waste material from our café, using locally produced materials for our textiles. Furthermore we train our staff in energy saving measures; grey water from the Villa is used for our garden, bamboo furniture is used wherever possible for furniture and display materials. However, our sustainability philosophy is not limited to our environmental practices, but a sustainable enterprise that continues to provide skills development and opportunity with our Lao staff and weavers. We regularly take on interns fostering and training them in specific areas of the business, preparing them for a sustainable professional career with transferable skills. Our weavers are paid more than three times the minimum wage and have access to social security and benefits. We work with village weavers to provide an access to market for their crafts providing a sustainable source of revenue to these remote areas as part of our Village Weaver Projects.

What tours and classes do you offer to visitors? Bringing alive our concept of East meets West, all visitors to the Living Crafts Centre receive a free guided tour where they can marvel at the skills of our silk weavers and craft artisans and even meet our silkworm. The comprehensive tours detail our involvement in slow and eco-fashion practices, sustainable production and tourism, and dedication to fair trade products. Since 2000, we have educated more than 64,000 visitors at our Living Crafts Centre. Our two boutiques also run a daily Shop Talk, which narrates our history and commitment to sustainability. We also offer a number of classes that

allows guests to work with our Lao artisans in silk weaving, natural dyes, batik drawing and bamboo weaving.

Tell us something about your textiles. What’s special about them? Lao textiles have tremendous cultural significance. The many and diverse ethnic groups of Laos all use textiles to document spiritual, cultural and folkloric traditions. In addition, the textiles of Lao reveal a complex and highly evolved craftsmanship and intricate design and motif vocabulary. OPT and artisans move this tradition forward by continuing to create textiles as they have been for many generations. And, by providing artisans with materials, design input and access to markets, OPT contributes to the preservation of these skills of Tok’s weavers.

Feature

Ock Pop Tok

In 2006, Ock Pop Tok established Fibre2Fabric, a registered charity whose mission is to collect, preserve and document heritage textiles in Laos. Our Lao Heritage Textile Collection is a way to explore and explain Lao culture. OPT’s textiles are noteworthy for several reasons. We use Lao silk, which to this day is not mechanized in this country. Lao silk offers unique textural quality and absorbs natural dyes readily. OPT also uses over 50% natural dyes in all our textiles. An on-site dyeing workshop, under the guidance of a master dyer, helps ensure that our textiles and colours are natural and vibrant. And, by working with artisans throughout Laos, OPT’s collections represent the diversity of textiles crafts in the country. What measurable impact has Ock Pop Tok made on the local environment, in which it operates? What difference has it made to the lives of the local population and community? Ock Pop Tok has become an iconic part of Laos’ weaving and artisan culture. With

15 years of operation, OPT has featured heritage designs, raised the profile of Lao textiles worldwide, and cultivated the skill of weaving amongst new generations. On top of the positive impact of our business operations, OPT has a number of corporate responsibility initiatives that it supports. Our most notable is our Village Weaver Projects which works in conjunction with the Lao National Tourism Administration, development agencies, and the Lao Women’s Union. We train artisans from remote areas in refresher natural dyes and weaving skills, product design, and business related skills. Craftsmanship and tradition are combined with artistic creativity and market knowledge. Village based production alleviates poverty and brings a steady flow of income into the villages.

Our East Meets West Fund facilitates the further education of Luang Prabang based men and women. This fund was set up to help bridge the gap working with selected schools and colleges to jointly choose appropriate classes for the individuals to attend. We pay directly to the school and receive attendance reports from the administration that we share with our donors. In 2006, Ock Pop Tok established Fibre2Fabric, a registered charity whose mission is to collect, preserve and document heritage textiles in Laos. Our Lao Heritage Textile Collection is a way to explore and explain Lao culture. The gallery is located above our Silk Road Café and is free to visit. It is dedicated to documenting, exhibiting, and upholding the social role of tradition of textiles in Lao. It is one of the largest private collections of antique textiles in Laos and

Ock Pop Tok

Feature

We are exploring increased cultural exchanges through partnerships with like minded organisations. We see a big opportunity in cultural preservation and promotion through more products on ‘east meets west’ collaboration between global artisans part of our mission to preserve the regional textile heritage.

Ock Pop Tok is the winner under the “Best in Cultural Preservation” category in the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards, 2014. What does this accolade mean to you, your staff and the local communities? As the first Lao organisation to ever be acknowledged by the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Initiative, it’s a historic moment for both Ock Pop Tok and Lao culture. We are an international team that shares a common passion for elevating the profile of Lao textiles and artisans and are thrilled to be recognized for our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. Our Co-Founder Veomanee Douangdala says it best: “We are humbled to be recognised in our mission to celebrate

and share Laos’ textile heritage through our sustainable tourism. Since 2000, our passion for textiles and cultural exchange has motivated my team and me to create a holistic experience for our guests. We only hope we can inspire others to participate in their own cultural preservation.”

What plans does Ock Pop Tok have for the future? Ock Pop Tok has always had our eye on the future; that’s what keeps us focused on sustainability. We are gearing up to expand our markets, both within Laos and worldwide through e-commerce. The goal is to support more weavers, providing more opportunities, and bringing Lao textiles and culture to a great audience. We’re also in a planning stage to build an eco-friendly, eco-design, full-eco storage space for our antique textile collection as part of Fibre2Fabric. The idea is to

stabilise the collection in an environmentally stable space. Conservation in the tropics is all about stabilization, and our goal is to design a building that enhances that through natural methods (i.e. no air conditioning and reduced humidity). We are exploring increased cultural exchanges through partnerships with like minded organisations. We see a big opportunity in cultural preservation and promotion through more products focused on ‘east meets west’ collaboration between global artisans.

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Andaman Discoveries

Andaman Discoveries, Thailand

Pi Tui, Director

Based in Kuraburi, Phang Nga, Andaman Discoveries is an award winning social enterprise that supports community-led development by acting as a bridge to respectful visitors and volunteers through sponsorship of education, conservation and cultural empowerment. They have been working with tsunami-affected communities since 2005. In this interview Pi Tui, Director shares with us their sustainability policy, ecologically friendly practices and how they protect the culture and environment of the region from encroachment of mass tourism. When did Andaman Discoveries start operating? How did it come about? What was the motivation to set it up? Andaman Discoveries was created to continue the work of the North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR) Fund, an NGO that supported the communities of the North Andaman region in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Andaman Discoveries continues the work of the NATR Fund, which offered the Adventure, Community, Environment (ACE) Expert training program to tsunami-affected villagers and Kuraburi residents. The aim of the program was to form a well rounded team by providing skill development in the areas of business, computers, guiding, English language and tools for community development and empowerment. This included helping communities to compile

and print a "Sense of Place" booklet to allow villagers to explore, acknowledge and value their cultural identities and surrounding environment. The booklet was a starting point to help villagers create genuine tourist activities and highlight points of interest and value. Since 2006 Andaman Discoveries has been engaging local communities to be the stewards of their culture and environment, through capacity development and alternative means of income. Our approach to communitybased tourism starts by creating a sense of place, identifying what villagers see as important, and using this information to develop tourist activities. Andaman Discoveries helped develop and continues to support the North Andaman Community Tourism Network, a group enabling local

communities to engage in tourism and environmental conservation. In cooperation with community members, we assess whether tourism meets the wider needs of the community. We help develop trainings for local guides and homestays to create a quality standard. The villagers decide on a fair cost for their activities and community funds are put in place to

Andaman Discoveries

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

We work towards addressing global issues such as climate change, human rights, nature conservation and sustainable development through the grass roots level. ensure every member of the community benefits from tourism.

What is Andaman Discoveriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; core sustainability philosophy? Andaman Discoveries strives to maintain quality, sincerity, respect and personal service to our guests and community partners. By seeing the value of each individual we aim to create meaningful, educational and memorable experiences for both the guest and the host. We work towards addressing global issues such as climate change, human rights, nature conservation and sustainable development through the grass roots level. Our programs are created in collaboration with the communities in which we work and use local resources to have a positive human, environmental and financial impact. We conduct community based

development projects to assist our partners to reach their desired goals and aspirations. We take into consideration the impact on both the environment and culture, and aim to provide a better quality of life for our communities, guests and partners. We seek to create innovative approaches to help foster knowledge sharing, environmental stewardship and cultural exchange.

Could you describe some of the ecopractices that you follow? Andaman Discoveries aims to reduce our environmental impact by following a minimalistic open-plan office; work stations do not use more space than necessary. We have one no-flush toilet, hand wash dishes once daily, use little electronic equipment besides our computers, and only switch on the

air-conditioning for 5 hours a day when necessary. More than half of our employees commute by bicycle to the office and we provide interns and volunteers with bicycles during their stay. We use local drinking water supplied in large jugs instead of using small bottled water. We separate recyclable waste and reuse paper while practicing a thinkbefore-print culture. We use locally made natural cleaning products and local office supplies. We aim to raise environmental awareness among youth, by encouraging our volunteers to help educate students about waste reduction and recycling, and self sufficient gardening. As an example, our projects include: setting up a program to make recycled paper, and cultivating an organic garden at a local school. Several conservation projects that we support let village youth participate in the activities and learn about how coastal and forest

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Andaman Discoveries

We ensure that the majority of the profit from each village tour goes directly back to the villagers, 20% of guests' in-village costs are donated to the village community fund. This creates concrete opportunities for the villagers who may otherwise have to find employment outside the village.

ecosystems function. We encourage our communities to reduce waste and packaging usage, especially during tours. All tours that require a packed lunch use biodegradable materials like banana leaves, or reusable plastic containers.

What measurable impact has Andaman Discoveries made on the local environment in which it operates? Through our previous successes in the initial working communities, our model of community based tourism and volunteer programs has inspired new villages and schools to participate in tourism. This type of tourism allows guests to immerse in the local culture and directly

contribute to the economic and social development of these communities. For communities, such tourism helps villagers develop a sense of pride in their local culture and environment and encourages them to keep their traditions alive. For schools, the volunteers allow students and teachers to see the reality and experience cross-cultural exchange.

different types of tours and programmes that you offer to visitors.

Our Community Based tours are created in cooperation with community members, we assess whether tourism meets the wider needs of the community. We help develop trainings for local guides and homestays to create a quality standard. The villagers decide on a fair cost for their activities and community funds are put in place to ensure every member of the community benefits from the tourism.

Please tell us more about the

Guests can participate in day tours, and

Andaman Discoveries offers Community Based Tours, Volunteering Opportunities, Group & Study tours, Regional Tours that pair our CBT program with other places of interest to visit in the area.

Andaman Discoveries

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

We use our extensive network to create an itinerary that can include service at local schools and learning centers, environmental, cultural and social studies combined with relaxing in the natural environment. up to three days, two nights homestay programs. Livelihood and handicraft activities are done with a local guide and translator to allow the guest to have a full understanding of the culture and its impacts on the village. Our volunteer programs begin with the request from local schools that would otherwise not be able to support a foreign teacher. Volunteer work focuses on training teachers in new methods of teaching English, while delivering lessons to students and providing them with an opportunity to interact with a fluent speaker. Our Regional Tours highlight the natural beauty of this special part of Southern Thailand. Homestays are paired with excursions including but not limited to jungle trekking in the verdant forest

protected by the national park, island tours and snorkelling on the local islands. Our Study & Group tours are tailored to fit the interests and objectives of a variety of groups. We use our extensive network to create an itinerary that can include service at local schools and learning centers, environmental, cultural and social studies combined with relaxing in the natural environment.

Please provide some insights into your customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; profile. Who are they, where do they come from, and what motivates them to visit with you? Our clients are mostly Western tourists, coming from Europe, US, UK and Australia. The guests we receive are looking for an off the beaten track

experience that allows them to interact with local communities and experience the real Thai culture. They range in age from young adults to retirees. All of our clients are sustainability minded and want to know that the tourism they engage in has a no-negative impact on the local community and environment.

Would you like to share any other information about your projects and volunteering? Our programs in the Kuraburi area focus on teaching English at local learning centers for Burmese migrant children, and also rural Thai schools. Andaman Discoveries provides resources and an overview on best teaching practices. Ideally a volunteer is paired with a co-teacher who will help lead the class as well as learn new and fun

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

techniques for teaching English. We do require a 2 weeks minimum for the benefit of both the students and the volunteer.

What is your sustainability message to the travel trade? Empowerment, education, and training

Andaman Discoveries

will fail to have any long-term economic, social, or environmental benefit without creating realistic opportunity. After empowering communities, we work to help them understand responsibilities, create a common goal, and develop capacity in all areas, not only those related to tourism.

Awards & Recognition • • • • • • • • •

Thailand Green Excellence Awards UK on behalf of TAT (Winner) – Category: Volunteering Wild Asia 2014 (Finalist) – Category: Best in Cultural Preservation Wild Asia 2010 (Winner) - Category: Responsible Tourism Award To Do Award 2010 (Winner) - Category: Socially Responsible Tourism Thailand Green Award 2009 - Category: The Best Green Tour Operator BBC World Challenge Award 2009 (Finalist) Category: Community Development Travel and Leisure Award 2008 (Winner) Category: Community Outreach SEED Award 2008 (Winner) Virgin Holidays 2007 (Winner) - Category: Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage

Chandra Ban

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Chandra Ban Eco-Resort, Kathmandu, Nepal Finalist

Chandra Ban Eco-Resort is a small lodge on the Northern Valley Rim of Kathmandu. It is located in a rural area, directly under the National Park of Shivapuri forest, just 35 minutes to the centre of Kathmandu by car. It was built and is owned and managed by Luca and Camilla Corona, a European couple who wanted to show the best aspects of Nepal and its culture to their guests. Operations started in 2012. In this interview, Luca and Camilla, Founders, Chandra Ban Eco-Resort, share insights about their eco-resort and the sustainability practices that they follow.

What was the motivation to set up Chandra Ban Eco-Resort? Chandra Ban was created as a refuge for discerning travellers who want the Nepali experience but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to stay in a polluted Asian city. So, we decided to create this quiet sanctuary while also showcasing the best aspects of Nepal and its culture.

All the organic kitchen waste is also added to the biogas plant, which both reduces our waste and adds to the nitrate value of the water as well as produces a certain amount of bio-gas and a high quality compost.

What are the key eco features of Chandra Ban?

We have installed solar panels for the hot water system. Also, we installed a photovoltaic solar backup system to give lighting and minimum socket power during the long hours of blackout during the winter and spring seasons.

We have installed a wastewater-recycling biogas mini-plant. This is the first of its kind in the Kathmandu Valley, as it is primarily used to re-cycle all the wastewater of the resort, so that at the end of the processing, the water will be rich in nitrates and can be used safely to nourish the land and any run-off will be non-polluting.

All bulbs are low energy CFL. The fridges in the main kitchen are A+ (5 stars) and timers are attached to them to optimise consumption of solar battery power during black outs. During load shedding/black outs (up to 12 hours per day in the winter) the solar backup system operates at least one light bulb per room and at least one low voltage

power socket per apartment. We have wood-burning stoves in the living room of the Main Building which heats the lower floor and 2 apartments. We have other wood-burning stoves in the 2 apartments of the Upper Studio. These are fuelled mainly by briquettes made locally of recycled materials.

What are the key tenets of your sustainability policy? And how do you ensure it is implemented? Can

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

you give us some details about the environmental best practices that you follow? While building the lodge, we preserved the local Siris trees that were on the property and added many different species including Magnolia Champ, Jacaranda and many fruit trees. We have built beautiful staff quarters for our live-in staff â&#x20AC;&#x201C; clean, peaceful, with hot and cold water and a staff kitchen with a fridge, TV and gas cooker. After one year of employment, all staff are entitled to a Provident Fund. All staff have basic health insurance. Our live-in girls, aged over 18 years, come from an NGO that helps train abused and/or disadvantaged girls. For the building and decoration, almost everything was made in Nepal, with an emphasis on Himalayan arts and crafts. We used re-cycled bricks, stones and wooden beams in the construction.

Chandra Ban

All organic materials are used for compost â&#x20AC;&#x201C; either in the biogas plant or in a separate compost heap. Paper materials are separated and given for recycling. The rest of the waste is transported to waste management centres in town. We have an organic vegetable garden and buy the rest of the seasonal vegetables locally from family-run businesses. We are experimenting with planting different herbs and have had success with various herbs but particularly turmeric and cardamom.

What measurable impact has Chandra Ban made on the local environment in which it operates? My first reaction is to say that we are an extremely small lodge with five rooms/apartments; yet we do have an impact on the local environment. We have tried to fit into the local community and embrace their festivals and way of life.

We live in a rural area inhabited by ethnic Tamang who have been living in the area for hundreds of years. Rather than lecturing our locals about waste management, we prefer to show by example and everyone is amazed and delighted about how clean our environment is. We contribute to the maintenance of the local road and infrastructure, and encourage local biodiversity on our land.

Do you provide Environmental Education & Training to staff? Yes, we personally train the Chandra Ban staff in use of the bio-gas plant, cleaning toilets with non-toxic materials. Conserving electricity and water are the reasons behind this.

How do you sensitise your guests to the local environment and to behave responsibly? What opportunities do you give them to be involved in the

Chandra Ban

local community and contribute to its development? Chandra Ban is famous for being an eco resort and this is what attracts most of our guests. They are often engrossed in environmental matters but have rarely seen it in practice and thus are often interested in practical issues surrounding our ethics. It is obvious that people are becoming increasingly more eco conscious as our guests always show great amounts of support and admiration for our efforts to be more sensitive and caring towards our environment. They are often intrigued by the local community and are encouraged to experience Nepalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture, which is saturated in our surroundings: typical terraced fields, the Shivapuri forest, Buddhist stupas and the famous Sleeping Vishnu temple. Our guests are enthusiastic to take hikes in the Shivapuri

forest, passing local traditional villages, visiting a famous Buddhist nunnery

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

and a Hindu Temple. We also organise yoga and Buddhist meditation retreats with local teachers.

the market. We support local pashmina factories that we can guarantee follow ethical practices.

Please tell us about your labour policy. What percentage of your staff is local, and how else does your business contribute to the betterment of the local community?

What positive impact has being a responsible tourism company had on your business? What measures are taken to monitor performance and progress in meeting sustainability targets (environmental, socio-cultural and economic)?

We have created a safe, clean and extremely pleasant area for our live-in staff. We try to employ members from disadvantaged communities and are working with an Italian INGO to help employ the women trained by them who have been saved from domestic abuse or extreme poverty â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these young ladies live at Chandra Ban eco-resort and all the other staff live at walking distance from the lodge. Chandra Ban economically contributes to the locals through buying food (that cannot be grown on our own land) from local shops as well as other manufactured

goods. The guests use local taxi drivers, guides and buy local produce at

The client base is often interested and excited by the sustainable nature of the site; these clients often have great recommendations and new ideas. The network of friends and associates of clients have similar interests, which creates a very positive atmosphere in this heaven of nature. Due to the fluctuations in resources experienced in the Kathmandu Valley (water in dry and wet seasons, electricity due to low hydroelectric outputs), the capability to keep Chandra Ban operational, providing clients with the basic necessities without the addition

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

of storage batteries, fuel run generators and extra water supplements is an achievement in itself. Chandra Ban was built with these facilities in place so we have no terms of comparison.

From your experience in leading Chandra Ban and knowledge of the industry and customers, what trends do you see for the travel and tourism industry in the future? Do you see a growing interest in sustainable tourism? There is certainly a global and more localised interest in sustainable tourism. Nepal is very susceptible to future changes, both in climate and

population demands. Sustainable tourism is celebrated nationally and internationally; however, it is followed less frequently: the use of pollutants and fossil fuels is still unrestricted and limitless. The load-shedding (power cuts) that

Chandra Ban

can be up to 12 hours a day in the dry winter season, means that many businesses including all the 5 star hotels and restaurants need expensive, diesel generators to maintain their standards. Chandra Ban installed solar panels to cover this period of â&#x20AC;&#x153;darknessâ&#x20AC;? which is a considerable investment, and we also request the guests to use less electricity especially during the load-shedding times, when not all the lights or electric plugs work. Water is the future. Chandra Ban is fortunate to be located under the Shivapuri National Park, from where all the water for the Valley of Kathmandu comes. We use water sparingly and by installing the bio-gas plant, ensure that there is no polluted waste water runningoff the eco-resort.

How can the conflict between the need for environment protection and the economic interests of tourism businesses be mitigated? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

your sustainability message to the travel trade? This is a difficult question that is not easily resolved especially in a developing country where the overwhelming aim of business developers is to get rich quickly. I think there is a growing sensibility especially amongst Nepalis who have returned from years living abroad and return because they love their country and want to combine this appreciation of the natural beauty of Nepal with a touristbased business. Economically, for instance, solar panels are expensive to install but with proper maintenance will last for decades. Constantly, buying diesel or petrol for highly polluting generators is a bad, instant solution for an on-going problem that has to be discouraged. My message to the travel trade would be to increase awareness and perhaps aim at the highest level, to those who can

Chandra Ban

afford to pay a little extra for a good environmental policy in the places they are staying in. - To encourage an exchange of ideas so that when certain technologies such as solar panels cost less, more hotels and lodges can make use of them. - To encourage guests to question the environmental policy of the place where they are staying. Here in Nepal, anyone can call themselves “eco-friendly” – it means nothing if it is not backed up with substantial investment and policies. Certain considerations can be made with little or no extra costs, for example all the buildings of Chandra Ban are South facing, so during the winter the sun shines into the rooms and if the windows and doors are closed in the early evening, considerably less heating is required.

Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism

Point of View

Terrorizing Sustainable Tourism Our contributing writer for the Point of View column is Muna Haddad, Managing Director of Baraka, a company specialized in sustainable tourism development . In this article, Muna speaks about the importance of battling terrorism and diseases, and the media impact on travelers’ choices. By showcasing two different examples – of Jordan and Kenya, she explains why sustainable tourism is vital for cultures protection, job creation and environmental conservation.

Professionals in the sustainable tourism realm have long hailed the positive impacts of this niche market on local communities; creating jobs, generating income and preserving dying cultures around the globe. The interaction that happens between local communities and responsible tourists in remote areas around the world is magical. Bringing people from different cultures, backgrounds, faiths and beliefs together in a memorable experience has proven effective in eliminating prejudice and fostering understanding and acceptance. Sustainable tourism market specialists also take pride in the resilience of this market. Our sustainable tourists want to explore the world and learn about its cultures because they, unlike the average tourist, are driven by a desire to explore

and thereby understand the ‘other’. But are we being honest about these claims? A few of months ago I attended the Adventure Tourism World Summit in Ireland, an inspiring gathering of 700 passionate travel professionals committed to unraveling the world to tourists eager to explore nature, people and themselves. Unfortunately, the post conference communications revealed that our claims of resilience may be more ambitious than the reality. One of Baraka’s clients, Detours, a specialized sustainable tour operator based in Jordan has been working hard to close deals with tour operatorsaround the world. Lately, most efforts to feature Jordan as a unique and attractive destination for

sustainable tourism can be summed up in one phrase: “We would love to, but, we are concerned about safety and security.” The reality is that Jordan is actually very safe. Tourists are still visiting Jordan although more through independent bookings rather than tour operator bookings, and their experience here has been incredibly positive. We all know sustainable tourism is great, but when a destination is abandoned due to perceived risks, the impacts of its absence are detrimental to nature conservation and local communities. As an industry, we have agreed on a set of values, on ethos that has become the foundation of sustainable tourism. Let us honor that ethos by being the

Point of View

resilient ones in the market that know the difference between perceived risk and real risk.

traditional Kohl (eyeliner) in their tents no longer have a flow of income or cultural exchange.

Take Feynan Ecolodge as an example. Feynan is one of Jordanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great success stories, recognized as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the award-winning, solar powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco-experience in Jordan in the heart of the Dana Biosphere Reserve.

Furthermore, with the loss of income opportunities through tourism, local communities will return to traditional income generation through goat herding, which threatens the protected area by inducing desertification and threatening the last remaining habitats of the Ibex and Caracal in Jordan.

In the last few months, the media portrayal of terror in countries neighbouring Jordan, Feynan has seen cancelations and a drop of 50% in its sales. The negative impact of tourismlost often trickles down as fast as the positive impact of tourism-gained. The reality is that Feynan is as beautiful and safe today as it was three months ago when it was bustling with tourists. Due to perceived risks, conservation activities are cut, jobs are lost, and the women that were teaching tourists how to bake traditional bread and make

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take Kenya as another example. Last year I visited the remote village of Watamu, north of Mombasa along the Indian Ocean. I had a great experience with the Local Ocean Trust, a marine conservation group in Watamu and participated in the release of a critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle back into the ocean. The Local Ocean Trust protect marine habitats and species along the coast and have a vital program for turtle conservation in protected areas that are the last refuge for protection of nesting turtles along that coastline.

They have a by-catch program with local fishing communities where they collect, rescue, rehabilitate and release turtles caught in fishing nets. They rescue an average of over 6 turtles each day and have thus far released over 11,000 turtles back into the wild. They have ensured over 55,000 hatchlings reached the sea by their nest protection program. For many years the Trust relied on a successful and sustainable voluntourism project whereby they raised operational revenue from visitors. But now after blanket travel advisories on Kenya, combined with the Ebola crisis, this revenue has ceased to exist due to perceived risk.

Point of View

Jordan

Kenya

Point of View

The reality is that business is as usual in Kenya, there have been no Ebola cases, and threats by militant group AlShabab has not targeted tourists and has been geographically restricted. Tourists have completely abandoned Kenya, and the Watamu Local Ocean Trust may need to close down due to tourism-lost. Without this project, the average 6 daily turtles that are rescued will likely be sold for meat - and we could all see total species extinction. The reality of the security situation in Kenya and Jordan is vastly different from the perceived risks. It’s just another day for us; business as usual. The genuine hospitality of our people remains untainted and unshaken. When there is an opportunity to show you around our country, our hometown and villages, we do it with passion and pride loving nothing more than the opportunity to share the place we love with our guests. The last thing we would want is to put our guests in

danger’s way, and so we never do. We Jordanians are fully aware of the security situation in the neighborhood we live in. The Jordanian government has succeeded in maintaining a peaceful and secure atmosphere in Jordan. What has happened, disturbed us as much as anyone around the world, but we have learned some good things from our friends in the west: we do not succumb to terrorism. Terrorism has no race, no nationality, no religion, and we are all victims. I urge all travel professionals and tour operators to do their part in fighting terrorism by breaking the veil of misperception and turning the tide around in favor of our shared humanity. Trust your ground handlers, they are

fully aware of the reality on the ground, they are regularly informed by their governments and contacts about the reality. They can help you conclude whether the risk is real or perceived. Trust your local partners, and encourage your clients to visit Jordan, the only danger is the weight they will gain from our rich cuisine; tell them to go to Kenya, the great danger is splurging on traditional crafts; encourage them to go to Mexico and Colombia, because the only real danger is wanting to stay. Don’t let the heinous acts of a few blind you from the difference between real risk and perceived risk. Book that trip, pay for that tour, your money is keeping cultures alive, it’s conserving nature, it’s creating jobs.

Muna Haddad started her career in tourism as the marketing manager for Jordan’s two biggest source markets at the Jordan Tourism Board. She lectures at international tourism conferences and universities including ITB, ESTC, University of Toronto, Colombia University and the University of Florida. She sits on the advisory board of the University of Florida Tourism Institute.

Market Intelligence

Customers demand more sustainable supply chains This is the key finding from an international survey conducted on more than 2,160 professionals from businesses in different sectors in Europe, the Americas and Asia. When choosing a supplier or making buying decisions, 96% of the companies consider sustainability aspects, with low environmental impact as the most important aspect (56%). Health and safety of workers (51%) and economic aspects (43%) follow. Ethics comes next (29%), with proportions higher than average among sustainability “leaders”, i.e. companies with a mature capability to handle the supply chain in a sustainable way (+9% versus average). 42% of firms already adopt formal supply chain strategies contemplating sustainability; this percentage rises to 57% for bigger corporations and 81% for leaders. Main reasons for sustainable supply chains 80% of companies experienced pressure from their customers to demonstrate the sustainability of their supply chains. Of all the stakeholder groups, customers are the most interested in sustainability. They are driving this more than the authorities (33%) and other external stakeholders, such as local communities (7%), NGOs (4%) and unions (2%). Key initiatives Even though most companies feel they are just getting started, they are making concrete efforts to make their supply chain more sustainable. So far, supplier audits are the most common initiative. 41% of companies

claim to have undertaken one in the last three years (rates reach 57% for leaders). The proactive adoption and communication of an ad hoc strategy proved to be quite widespread among leaders (60%) and bigger corporations (1 in 3). Among small companies only 15% companies did this and 36% didn’t undertake any activity at all. Among the sectors, with 47% of companies having conducted audits and 36% adopting and communicating specific sustainability policies, food and beverage stands out as one of the most active industries. Main obstacles and main benefits Companies are hindered from progressing on sustainable sourcing for two reasons: economic shortages and the lack of a clear and harmonized frame of reference. Conflicting demands from customers (22%), lack of consensus on what to do (21%) and resistance from companies in the supply chain (20%) are barriers.

Despite these difficulties, benefits outweigh costs for 40% of the companies. Ability to meet customer needs (54%) is the top reason. Leaders are those benefiting the most in terms of improving their market performance: increased market share (45%), competitive advantage (52%) and enhancing brand reputation (59%) are key explanations. Future outlook Companies expect supply chain sustainability to become more critical for market success, both when it comes to meeting customer needs (+2%) and most of all to gain a competitive edge (+ 19%), improve market share (+17%) and enhance their brand reputation (+7%). 66% of the companies surveyed expect to improve the sustainability of their supply chains in three years’ time. Source: http://www.goingsustainable.com/news/cust omers-demand-sustainable-supply-chains/

Green Showcase Bardia Eco Lodge, Nepal

Green Showcase

Bardia Eco Lodge is a small, friendly wildlife lodge in Bardia National Park in western Nepal. The lodge was designed and built by some Nepali and British friends who met in Bardia while working in travel. The Nepali partner, Narayan Aryal was managing a lodge in the park at the time, while Ralph Foulds, Martin Hosie and Ray Harte were driving an overland expedition carrying tourists from the UK to Nepal for a British tour operator they jointly owned. Bardia opened to tourists in late 2011. an unforgettable experience for tourists wanting to see wildlife in Nepal. Although partly foreign owned, no money is taken out of Nepal. Profits are re-invested in the lodge, its staff, and in supporting conservation in the park and local community projects.

Electricity is generated through solar panels, with a backup from local hydroelectric mains power. Hot water is also provided via solar heating.

Eco features of Bardia Inspiration and purpose The owners wanted to build a lodge that showcased some examples of how different eco-friendly technologies and techniques can be used in Bardia, and to provide support to the local community and environment that had always looked after them so well during their visits. The owners feel that Bardia has a great amount to offer and provides

The lodge aims to demonstrate as many eco-friendly practices as possible. These include the first and so far only composting toilets in Bardia, which are combined with gravel drain fields. They are encouraging other lodges to try out this system which after a lot of research and explanation of the concept to the local builders and lodge team, has proved very successful.

All buildings have been constructed from re-used local materials using traditional local Tharu building techniques with a twist (for example a mud brick base was used to the walls of the cottages to allow for larger windows and more light, while the majority of the construction remains

Green Showcase

from mud, grass and bamboo). Thatch for the roofs of the cottages and dining hall comes from the annual grass cut inside the park itself. Any new timber used (e.g. window frames) comes from approved local sources.

Nearly all food is sourced and grown locally with only a few staples brought in. They are also developing their own kitchen garden and will try to grow as many fruit trees within our gardens as possible. The lodge gardens are planted with native shade trees and as many flowering plants and bushes as possible to encourage insects and birdlife to visit. Tourists staying with them also contribute to the protection of the local wildlife through their visits into the park and the income this generates for the park authorities.

Impact on the environment The visitors pay park entry and activity fees which is all contributed to the parks revenues and pay for rangers, anti poaching and other park activities. Bardia has contributed to the improvement and repairs of important access roads along the river bank and behind its land which provides access to local villagers. It provides housing for its site manager and other staff and encourages them to use part of the land to grow vegetables for themselves and their families. Labour Around 75% of the staff are from the immediate vicinity (within just a few miles) with just one member of staff from further afield in Nepal. The entire staff is Nepali. Bardia aims to maintain or better this ratio and continue to employ and promote as many staff from the local area as possible. Bardia uses crafts people from the surrounding villages to make as many things for the lodge as possible. This has

included using carpenters to make bed frames, tables, chairs, and bamboo bedroom furniture. Bedding in the cottages has also been sewn and produced by local women. Local farmers benefit directly as nearly all food used is grown nearby and purchased in Thakurdwara village market or directly from the farmers themselves. The lodge was constructed completely by local craftsmen and labourers, with no electricity or power tools used. Construction materials were purchased from local villages (including some derelict houses which were bought, dismantled, moved and re-used). Activities The guests are encouraged to explore the local villages and farmsteads, not just to explore the park, and to make contact with the local community during their stay. Language is a barrier with hardly any of the local population speaking other than Nepali or local dialects. Hence, the local village walk is available with a guide who will make

Green Showcase

some introductions and assist with some simple conversations about local life.

There are a wide variety of ways to explore the park, allowing guests to target different animals and birds in different areas. The guide discusses recent sightings with the guests and their own personal interests, and then tailors their visits into the park around these. Several other activities are offered including: Jungle walks, Safaris, Rafting through the park, Bird Watching walks, Charial crocodiles trip, Tharu culture programme and Canoeing trips.

Green Showcase

Mud brick base was used to the walls of the cottages

Local materials used to build and decorate the cottages

Majority of Bardiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff is local

Bardia Eco Lodge is involved in Bardia National Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conservation activities

Electricity is generated through solar panels

Guests are encouraged to interact with the locals and observe local culture like dance performances

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/79649134@N03/sets/72157629965420590/ provided by Bardia

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

Loola Adventure Resort 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Road, Singapore 498833 Tel:+65 6764 6496 E-mail: info@loola.net Web: http://www.loola.net Loola Adventure Resort is a resort whose owners believe that a good business can and should benefit all other stakeholders too: the local community, the staff, and the clients. It is located in Loola, Bintan.

Great Ponsonby Art Hotel 30 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby, 1011, New Zealand Tel: +64 9-376 5989 Email: info@greatpons.co.nz Web: http://www.greatpons.co.nz The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel is a small Bed & Breakfast hotel located in Ponsonby, a vibrant, safe, historic area of Auckland City. It has 12 rooms of varying sizes. The Great Ponsonby is the recipient of the Qualmark Enviro Gold Award accreditation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Zeaaland tourismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official mark of quality.

Alila Hotels & Resorts 15 Scotts Road #04-10 Thong Teck building Singapore 228218 Tel: +65 67358300 Email: ask@alilahotels.com Web: http://www.alilahotels.com Alila Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned hotel management group headquartered in Singapore, with a strong element of Indonesian genes and a footprint across the Asia-Pacific region. Alila currently manages nine unique city hotels and resorts in India and Indonesia, and has another eleven properties under development in the AsiaPacific region.

Business Directory

Khanfous Retreat Bni Meslem, BP330 Asilah Morocco Tel:+212 634-663483 E-mail: info@khanfousretreat.com Web: http://www.khanfousretreat.com Set in an idyllic rural village on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, just twenty minutes south of the historic port town of Asilah, Khanfous Retreat allows you to get back to nature. The cottage has been skilfully crafted in the traditional style by talented locals.

Footsteps Eco lodge South Kombo, W/ Africa Babilon Gunjur, Western, Gambia Tel: +44 23 9225 2575 Email: holidays@footstepsgambia.com Web: http://www.footstepsinthegambia.com Situated in Gunjur on Gambia's south bank, Footsteps Eco lodge is ' in the bush and by the beach'. Designed to mimic a traditional African Village compound, all huts and cabins are authentic in design with the added advantage of being en suite.

Sarinbuana Eco Lodge Jalan Arjuna Br. Biyahan, Desa Wanagiri, Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia 82162 Tel: +62 828-9700-6079 Email: info@baliecolodge.com Web: http://www.baliecolodge.com This Award winning Eco Lodge, offers itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests a chance to retreat into nature and be apart of the vibrant Balinese culture. A haven for nature lovers, located at 700m on the slopes of Mount Batukaru in central Bali, only 90 minutes from Kuta and Ubud. Sarinbuana Eco Lodge has pioneered & co created many new Eco projects in Bali, setting new standards for Sustainable Tourism in Bali.

Business Directory

Would you like to be listed in the Business Directory and reach out to thousands of potential travel partners?

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.

Market Vision

A Market Vision publication All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, published, copied or transmitted in any form, including electronically on the Internet or World Wide Web, without written permission of the publisher. Thank you for respecting the intellectual property rights protected by copyright laws and the International Copyright Treaty.