Indonesia ecotourism gets a boost in consumer awareness

Non-profit responsible tourism leader Sustainable Travel International (STI) has partnered with Ecolodges Indonesia (ELI) to address the role that growing consumer awareness plays in turning efforts to go green into long-term business solutions for tourism providers.

ELI, an ecotourism provider, focuses on biodiversity conservation and enhancement of local community livelihoods. It is one of the first to pursue international sustainable tourism certification in Indonesia, and is committed to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals through their ecotourism investments and operations.

The company’s four Ecolodges emphasize wildlife conservation and improving the livelihoods of local communities where the properties are located.

“We are only a small, but growing company with a strong corporate social responsibility agenda, and are excited to become one of STI’s ‘Premium Partners’,” said Dr. Alan Wilson, Chairman of the Board of Ecolodges Indonesia. “Working with STI, we can continue to promote responsible travel and ecotourism, support local communities in their efforts to work toward sustainable development, and help travelers better protect the cultures and environments they visit”.

Sustainable Travel International’s mission is to promote sustainable development through responsible travel by providing programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and promote economic development.

Both organizations support the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Criteria initiated by Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), launched at the World Conservation Congress in October 2008.

These criteria identify the minimum standard that any tourism business should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation.

“Working together, STI and ELI will draw on collective experience and triple-bottom line approach to promote and implement our respective products and services in order to support economic development in local communities, while focusing on biodiversity conservation – namely wildlife – in Indonesia,” said STI President Brian Mullis.

Positive collaboration

STI and ELI will work together on a series of initiatives, spanning a range of responsible travel ideas such as eco-certification, carbon offsetting and fair trade.

Beginning with the Udayana Kingfisher Ecolodge in Bali, ELI will complete STI’s Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program to become the flag-ship/inaugural STI certified property in Indonesia.

Each of the other ELI Ecolodges will subsequently strive to attain eco-certification, while ELI will develop a carbon offset program to create projects that directly support rainforest conservation in Indonesia.

ELI also plans to establish and provide travel philanthropy projects specifically focusing on wildlife, environment and local economic development. These projects will be included in STI’s Travel Philanthropy project database, and other market outreach opportunities.

ELI and STI will work together to explore opportunities to enhance existing ELI support to further development and market access for arts and crafts produced by villages near all ELI operations. They will also assess how working with Aid to Artisans can benefit the livelihoods of local villages.

In addition, STI and ELI will work with a number of other partners, such as the Scientific – Academic – Volunteer – Educational (SAVE) Travel Alliance, National Geographic and other non-government, government and private sector organizations, to identify and utilize additional resources for sustainable tourism development. They will also address the education and training needs of protected areas adjacent to ELI operations.

For more information, visit www.ecolodgesindonesia.com.