Ecotrips: 'Green' resorts offer choices that make a difference

08-27-2006

 

Michael Lutzeyer was obviously a man with a passionate mission three years ago as he guided me through the Fynbos forest that he and his family are creating in the dry hills overlooking Walker Bay on the tip of South Africa.

Maho Bay Camps The Maho Bay Camps on St. John, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, helped to pioneer ecotourism with such features as passive solar design. Green Globe eco-tourism standards Focusing on nature. Minimizing the impact on the environment. Providing opportunities for guest interpretation and education. Having an ecologically compatible infrastructure. Using ecologically sustainable practices. Making an ongoing contribution to conservation. Providing benefits for local communities. Respecting local culture. Striving for customer satisfaction. Having responsible marketing.

In the late 1980s, searching for a way to support the re-establishment of the fragile native flora on the 3,000-acre tract they had purchased, the Lutzeyers had hit upon the notion of creating a small, natural resort. The idea was to attract visitors to this botanically unique but financially struggling stretch of Western Cape coastline, providing revenue to fund their experiment to remove non-native foliage while introducing people to a remarkable ecology.

So they started constructing lovely bungalows that are low in use of energy and resources but high in comfort and style. They offered elegant, healthful meals, often made with produce grown on the resort's grounds. Guests began coming, both to enjoy the beauty and adventure of the place but also to learn about the Fynbos. The success and the income the resort generated have spawned local conservation efforts, including a foundation to train area youth about biodiversity and give them nature-based, sustainable livelihoods.

In creating the resort they call Grootbos ("Big Forest" in Afrikaans), the Lutzeyers were participating in what has become a buzz word in vacations: environmentally conscious travel. What started 30 years ago as a desire for outdoor adventures and an appreciation for the natural world has evolved into ecotourism and a proliferation of both "green" hotels and ecologically oriented resorts.

As opposed to big box buildings on beautiful beaches or luxury lodges in tropical jungles, these "eco-resorts" tend to be lodgings with a highly developed sense of place and purpose. Often set in scenic or still-wild settings, they tend to be smaller properties that offer comfortable accommodations, along with outdoor activities and adventures appealing to travelers who want more from their vacations than a week of sunshine and relaxation.

"Green" guests may want both of those too, but they're also looking to immerse themselves in a special natural or cultural situation in a way that both preserves the environment and supports the local communities.

Maho Bay Camps Maho Bay Camps in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands offer eco-tents that are a cross between a cabin and tent structure. Green travel resources Eco-resorts mentioned in this article: Grootbos: www.grootbos.com or see South African floral kingdom surrounds eco-resort Maho Bay: www.maho.org. Green hotels: Green Hotels: www.greenhotels.com. The Best Green Hotels: www.bestgreenhotels.com. Eco-resorts and tours: Green Globes: www.greenglobe.org. The International Ecotourism Society: www.ecotourism.org. Eco Tropical Resorts: www.eco-tropicalresorts.com. Forever Resorts: www.foreverearth.net. For more information: Planeta: The Global Journal of Practical Ecotourism: www.planeta.com. "Code Green" by Kerry Lorimer and others (Lonely Planet Books, May 2006, $19.95).

Eco-resorts range from the truly rustic, with basic construction and conveniences and bargain prices, to places with high eco-elegance, with privacy, polished wood, haute cuisine and guest rooms that go for $500 a night.

But finding a resort can be confusing. Too often labels such as "green" and "eco" are marketing tools for properties that only want to cash in on the traveling public's desire for ecological awareness. In addition, regular hotels and resorts may adopt various "green" practices that help them save money by saving the environment. Though commendable, these efforts are not enough to qualify a place as an eco-resort.

Stanley Selengut defines ecotourism as an extension of adventure travel. "Adventure travel is more about the adrenaline rush, while ecotourism tries to give travelers a responsible peek at places off the beaten path."

Mr. Selengut was a pioneer in the field of ecotourism, which was just starting in 1976 when he opened Maho Bay Camps on St. John, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since then, Maho Bay, with its three subsequent sister resorts on St. John, offers a range of accommodations, from simple platform tents to tidy cottages, all built with techniques that have consistently earned Maho Bay the world's most prestigious environmental awards for innovation in sustainable resort development.

"From the beginning at Maho," Mr. Selengut said, "we were committed to the idea that environmental sensitivity and human comfort can be compatible. Many guests enjoy enhanced vacation experiences by combining pleasure with our commitment to protecting the environment. Others stay with us because of our stunning location and may not even be aware of the philosophies behind our operations."

Relatively large for an eco-resort, Maho Bay now attracts about 20,000 visitors a year. Lots of recycled building materials, such as "plastic lumber" and recycled glass tiles, were used in construction that also minimized removal of native plants. Elevated walkways prevent soil erosion and protect the beach and fragile coral. Maho's self-sustaining "eco-tents" and cottages use passive solar design, photovoltaic panels, rain collection and roof scoops that circulate cooling breezes.

"When it comes to ecology," Mr. Selengut said, "we've been pioneers for the tourism industry. For example, we were thinking in terms of recycling well ahead of most others."

Is it truly 'green'? Here are 10 questions you should ask to test the eco-consciousness of a "green" resort, hotel or tour operator: 1. Is there a written policy regarding the environment and local people? (If not, they probably aren't taking ecology seriously) 2. What kind of contribution have they made to conservation or the local people of which they are most proud? 3. How do they measure their contribution to conservation? 4. How many local people do they employ, how does that number compare to the total staff, and do any local people hold management positions? 5. What have they specifically done to help protect the environment and support conservation, and which local charities do they work with? Is it truly 'green'? What percentage of their produce and services come from local sources? 7. How do they treat waste water and provide energy for their buildings? 8. What information and advice do they provide to guests on local cultures and customs? 9. Do they employ tour guides from the local community? 10. How might you get involved during your stay with local people and conservation efforts in a way that is worthwhile and rewarding for both you and the destination? Source: Green Living Magazine

One recent example of creative recycling is Maho's "Trash to Treasures" program, in which artists transform much of the resort's waste glass and aluminum into craft items and fine art. According to Mr. Selengut, the studio is generating about $250,000 a year, which supports Maho's other conservation programs.

But how can you find eco-resorts and "green" hotels? Some of them advertise in activist and travel publications, such as Sierra and Audubon or Outside or National Geographic Traveler.

Some specialized organizations have evolved in the last 15 years to point travelers to places that encourage the best principles of ecotourism.

The broadest-based is the Green Globe program. Founded in 1993 by the U.N.'s World Travel & Tourism Council, Green Globe began issuing certifications in 1999 to travel providers who adhere to 10 eco-principles, backed by regular, independent site audits. Dozens of hotels and resorts have earned these certifications, generally chains and larger properties that can afford the costs of application, site audits and infrastructure changes. However, since those costs can also put Green Globes beyond many smaller, community-based properties, the lack of certification doesn't mean a resort is not ecologically oriented.

The International Ecotourism Society is an even older "green" resource. Founded in 1990, with members in more than 70 countries, the society supports the concept of responsible travel to natural places, with principles that generally echo those of Green Globe. Spokeswoman Katie Maschman explains its primary missions. "We help foster the best ecological practices within the travel industry and serve as a bridge to the public to help them understand that their travel choices do make a difference."

In addition to providing links to more than 400 hotels, resorts and tour operators who subscribe to its code of conduct, the society tracks more than 70 national green certification programs around the world.

"Different countries have their own green programs," Ms. Maschman said. "We help put them in perspective. For example, how can a traveler compare the ecology programs of Australia and Costa Rica?"

There's also a Green Hotel Association, whose member properties voluntarily subscribe to programs that save water and energy and reduce solid wastes. A list of hotel chains follow the organization's practical guidelines for creating "green" rooms. One of its most widely used programs are the towel rack hangcards and sheet-changing cards which encourage guests to reuse their linens.

Still, it's up to individual travelers to seek out and evaluate eco-resorts and green hotels. Start by searching your area of interest, say birding or botany, or zero in on a geographical area. Many countries now have an eco-tourism association that can provide options. Then investigate the particulars.

According to Mr. Selengut, "You can get a good sense about a place's green commitment from its Web site. But also check their references. People who are attracted to this type of travel tend to be knowledgeable, demanding and vocal. If they don't think a resort is living up to its "eco-billing," they'll register their objections somewhere. That also makes the Web a great resource for self-policing a resort's commitment."

Before making a decision, contact the resort directly, either by phone or e-mail. See how it responds to questions you may have. In addition to particulars about accommodations, prices and reservations, pose some of the eco-queries from the list above. Their answers will provide insight as to the depth of their ecological commitment.

Ecotourism can make a big difference. As Ms. Maschman observed, "Nearly 84 percent of travelers from a recent study said they wanted their travel experiences to make a difference. We encourage environmentally and socially conscious consumers to make their decision based on ecotourism standards, as well as price and location."

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