ECOTOURISM

"Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people.“

Components of:

Ecotourism• Contributes to biodiversity conservation • Sustains the well being of the local

people • Includes an interpretation / learning

experience • Involves responsible action on the part of

the tourists and tourism industry • Is delivered mainly to small groups by

small-scale business • Requires the lowest possible

consumption of non-renewable resources • Stresses local participation, stewardship,

and business opportunities, particularly for rural people.

Community Based Tourism (CBT)• Takes environmental, social, and

cultural sustainability into account• Community owns and manages

projects for the benefit of the community

• Visitors increase their awareness and learn about local peoples and cultures

• Lodging with a local family, sharing their homes and eating meals together

• Range of activities organized by the community

Stakeholders (Interviewees)• Koh Ra Ecolodge Manager and Staff- Awe and

Ruth• CBT Homestay Women of Koh Phra Thong- Fan

and Youn• Naucrates Scientist- Monica• Moken Community Representative- Paw (Chief)• Andaman Discoveries- Tiu (Director)• Ecolodge Guests- UCLA Students• Hotel Reviews and Blogs from Internet

The Koh Ra Ecolodge

• An ecolodge is defined on encyclopedia.com as a, “Type of tourist accommodation designed to have the least possible impact on the natural environment in which it is situated.”

The goal of the Ecolodge is to promote sustainability and conservation in the area while working with local communities and stakeholders to create a win-win situation for the people and nature of the area.

Environmental Philosophy• It conserves the surrounding environment, both natural and cultural;• It has minimal impact on the natural surrounding during construction;• It fits into its specific physical and cultural contexts through careful

attention to form, landscaping and colour, as well as the use of localised architecture;

• It uses alternative, sustainable means of water acquisition and reduces water

• consumption;• It provides careful handling and disposal of solid waste and sewerage;• It meets energy needs through passive design and combines these with

their modern counterparts for greater sustainability;• It endeavours to work together with the local community;• It offers interpretive programmes to educate both its employees and

tourists about the surrounding natural and cultural environments;• It contributes to sustainable local development through research programs.

Ecolodge’s Projects

Activities• Scuba Diving• Swimming• Snorkeling• Sea Kayaking• Guided Hiking• Yoga• Thai Cooking lessons• Visits to local Moken Village

Conservation Projects• Volunteer and Research opportunities• Reef Check and Beach Cleanup• Hornbill Monitoring• Turtle Monitoring• Organic Garden and local produce• Composting and waste separation• Solar Panels and night electicity• Environmental Education• Guide Training• Mangrove Planting and Restoration• Moken Community Fund and guide

training

Communities Review

• Provides secondary income to the community and avoids other businesses to “intrude” the community

• It helps in conservation projects of the local resources for the community (mangroves, fisheries)

• Also, the villagers learn more about conservations awareness from the projects and organizations

• Like foreign people (volunteers, eco-tourisst) to participate in conservation projects and help the community. But they find the language difference to be a barrier

• Moken people have good neighbor relationship with Ecolodge

Scientists and Travel Agency’s Review

• It’s a good opportunity for people to learn about the environment and even participate in monitoring projects

• It’s successful as long as it’s kept in Small Scale• Should involve community and educate

children in environmental conservation and guide tourists to focus more in the environment, local people and villages

Green Hotel Rating ReviewCategory WebsiteMe Category2 Website2Me2

Towel Program   Fresh Air  Sheet Program   Allergies   From www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com

Cotton Towels/Sheets   *Non-Smoking Rooms  

Environmental Cleaning  

Alternative Energy   Water Conservation  

Maintenance for Conservation   Xeric Garden  

Energy Conservation   Gray-Water Recycling  

* Bulk Soap & Amenities  

Recyclable Disposables   N/A

* Bonus   Compostable Disposables   N/A

Newspaper Program   N/A Durable Service Items  

Composting   Guestroom Recycling Bins  

Organic Food Served   Hotel Recycling Bins  

Eco-friendly Food Served   Donating to Charity  

Promote "greenness" in PR   Conference Center/Rooms  

Educate Guests to "green"   Transportation  

Educate Staff to "green"   Fitness Center  

Participate in Green Program(s)   Internet  

No: Yes: Unknown

: Promised but not provided

Bungalows ReviewBungalows Rooms In used? Mosquito Nets Leaks Animal Problem Comments

1 11, 13 Y 2 out of 2, 1 of 1 1 (11) Wasp Nest A lot of insects and geckos in the bathroom2 N/A Y N/A N/A Bats Kim and Awe's Room3 31, 33 N 1 of 3, 0 of 2 1 (31) Bats and Termites Big bats problem. There is poop and smell all over. Termites are eating away the wooden roof4 41, 43 Y 1 of 3, 1 of 1 1 (43) Bats and Rats Bat Poop on porche. Rats in the walls5 51, 52, 53 N 0 of 2, 0 of 2, 0 of 2 1 (51) Bats 52 is a Bat Cave, found at least 26 61, 62, 63 N 0 of 1, 0 of 1, 0 of 1 none Wasp Nest7 71, 72, 73 N 0 of 2, 0 of 2, 0 of 2 none Wasp Nest, Big Ants Wasp nest inside 71. Big ants, spiders, bat poop all over and dirty and stain mattresses8 81, 82, 83 N 0 of 2, 0 of 1, 0 of 2 2 (81) Bats 82 is a Bat Cave. Found bat poop on the mattress9 91, 92, 93 Y N/A N/A N/A Somebody is staying there

10 101, 102, 103 N/A N/A N/A N/A Diffi cult to access, a lot of vegetation and fallen treesSala N/A Y N/A 1 Bats and Ants

Guests Reviews

Likes

• cleanliness of accommodations/ suggestions to clean the rooms better/ comments on the dampness and smell/ suggestions to provide mosquito nets for all rooms

• (safeness) Koh Ra too dark at night

• Provide toiletries and flashlights

To Improve

Environmental stewardship and conservation, cultural preservation, and natural beauty

• great source of information on local flora and fauna.

• The atmosphere is relaxed, quiet, less crowded

• Delicious food