that the responsibility for sustainability lies mostly with travel companies. For them, it is the agency that must ensure that destinations offered are respectful to all principles of sustainable tourism.
3. Think Green? “Better That You Do It For Me?
Thus, 49% of respondents said that they do not want to ‘think green’ while on vacation. From the time they leave the house, they prefer to be done with that issue
and devote all of their time to fully enjoying their time off. This point makes clear that most travellers believe that it is up to the travel industry to lead on sustainability rather than it being an issue they have to pay attention to while their are on holiday.
4. Measuring The Sustainability Of An Agency
How can you tell if the travel agency you choose is consistent with responsible tourism? This is a question considered by many consumers and according to the ABTA survey, 36% of those asked supported the idea of establishing a ratings system on sustainability and social responsibilities, similar to start ratings for hotels.
5. The Younger You Are, The More Aware You Are
Another characteristic of responsible tourists is that they tend to be younger, according to the survey. Young people between the ages 16 and 24 were found to be the most sensitive to environmental projects linked to the tourism sector, suggesting that this attitude is like to grow among consumers.
6. Experiences Make For A Better Trip
One of the main reasons why customers are willing to pay more for their trips is because they are realising that sustainable vacation options tend to be better. For example, people are enjoying themselves more when they can taste typical local products or engage with the indigenous culture of their destination.
7. The Agencies Are Responsible
The message is clear for travel agencies. More and more consumers are demanding greater involvement and responsibility on their part in search of “green” tourism. Respondents to the survey made clear that they would prefer to leave their home knowing that their vacation meets all the requirements of sustainability and can enjoy their long-awaited holiday without worry.
A pleasant tropical climate and a magical rainforest environment are just two highpoints for nature lovers. If you add an ecolodge to the mix, what happens? The answer is, an incredibly interesting destination for ecotourists. This is the case with the Rio Cuasa Ecolodge in Ecuador. Responsible Hotels reached out to the hotel’s manage, Oscar
A pleasant tropical climate and a magical rainforest environment are just two highpoints for nature lovers. If you add an ecolodge to the mix, what happens? The answer is, an incredibly interesting destination for ecotourists. This is the case with the Rio Cuasa Ecolodge in Ecuador. Responsible Hotels reached out to the hotel’s manage, Oscar Ortiz, to find out more about what makes this natural destination special.
Ecolodge Rio Cuasa en Ecuador
-The Rio Cuasa Ecolodge is located in the Ecuadorian rainforest. When and how did this inn come to be? Where did the idea come from?
The project was founded in 2006 during a family meeting to figure out how best to use and honour the natural setting of our farm in a tourist-friendly way, which gave way to the construction of hosting spaces and a restaurant for visitors. Thus began our project, starting with the first two cabins and a dining area and after adjustments were made, we erected a camping area and greenery along the river. Since then, it has continued to grow year after year and now we have 7 quadrangle cottages, nature trails, a camping area, birding towers, a wildflower garden, mini-sports courts, canoes and buoys in the river and a restaurant.
- Can you describe the natural environment?
It is surrounded by a tropical rain forest on the coast of Ecuador, located just inside the entrance to the Mache Chindul nature reserve, just 10 metres from the Cuasa Riverside, where natural and crystal clear water flows from the heart of the reserve.
-What are the main characteristics of the natural environment?
We live in an environ