The International Finance Corporation’s 2004 report, “Ecolodges: Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Business, summarized its findings, identifying the business essentials for ecolodge operators.
“Although there is no single magic formula for a profitable ecolodge, the most successful share a number of key characteristics. Ideally, an ecolodge should:
The International Finance Corporation study, “Ecolodges: Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Business,” provides a comprehensive framework for developing and operating an ecolodge, based on the triple bottom line–ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability. The framework considers three phases of ecolodge development–pre-construction, construction, and operation–in its analysis. The framework published below is based on the IFC study, but modified to better reflect conditions in the U.S.
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There is no hard and fast definition of an “ecolodge.” Like the term eco tourism, there are some generally accepted principles that ecolodges incorporate into their design and operation.
Rethinking Mobility, Rediscovering Proximity
June 16 to 20, 2008, Portland, Oregon
June 16 to 18, 2008
Palm Desert, CA
The California Travel Industry Association’s annual convention features a number of sessions of interest to local businesses, including:
Contact:
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy will distribute another $17 million in fiscal year 2009, to projects designed to protect or restore “rivers, lakes and streams, their watersheds and associated land, water and other natural resources.” The money was authorized by California voters in 2006 when they passed Proposition 84, the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Act.
The conservancy established two categories of grants for fiscal year 2009–
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy provided a number of grants in fiscal year 2008, to enhance tourism and recreational opportunities in the range. Below are examples of some of those grants:
The June 8th travel section of the New York Times ran no less than three articles on different aspects of what National Geographic calls geo tourism. “Back to Nature and Ready for Guests,” featured birding in the Great Plains of North Dakota. No mind that the article also mentioned bison hunting, the article’s pull quote read, “Wildlife has made a comeback; bring on the eco-tourists.”
The “Choice Tables” article focused on Aspen’s food and wine festival, noting, “Chefs build menus on what the region’s farmers produce.” Another piece pictured kayakers passing through a mangrove tunnel in the Everglades.
Journalists are always looking for a good story, or a new hook to an old story. Heading into summer, it’s a good time to think about next winter. What might catch the attention of travel writers? Once you answer that question, let the California Travel and Tourism Commission help you reach journalists worldwide.
The California Travel and Tourism Commission offers two free marketing tools to the hospitality industry, local communities, and destinations:
Thursday, June 5, 2008, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
North Sierra Subregion
Ingram Hall at the Shasta County Inter-Mountain Fairgrounds
44218 A Street in McArthur, California, 96056
The conservancy board is likely to award another round of strategic and competitive grants at its June 5th meeting. The grants range from fire suppression and Watershed restoration projects to a regionwide initiative to improve trails and recreational opportunities.
The public is also invited to join the conservancy board for a field trip and reception on Wednesday, June 4th. The tour begins at noon, with a reception to follow.
All board meetings are open to the public. For more information about the conservancy board, the agenda for the June 5th board meeting, or the June 4th field trip, contact:
Theresa Burgess, tburgess@sierranevada.ca.gov, 877-257-1212.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy, 877-257-1212
Map of the Shasta County Fairgrounds