Ecotourism and Ecolodge Holidays, Rosa's Java, Sekonyer, Cree Village, Daintree, Ecolodging, Accommodation, Ecotourism

Definition of ecolodge accommodation

An ecolodge is the accommodation preferred by ecotourists and by those who are seeking an intimate contact with nature. It is different to standard tourist accommodation which is biased towards the tourist rather than the environment. When considering you ecotourism holiday, please be aware that many agents are calling their accommodation "ecolodges" when in fact many are luxury hotels in the sky. Please read the definitions below and take this into account when booking. You may need to balance the comforts of the 21st century against the true pleasures found in nature.

The term “Ecolodge” is a tourism industry label used to identify a nature-dependent tourist facility that meets the principles of ecotourism. Such a facility is developed and managed in an environmentally sensitive manner in order to protect its operating environment. It is recognised that the most important thing about an ecolodge is that the ecolodge is not the most important thing. It is the quality of the surrounding environment that counts most. Critical issues would include the nearby natural and cultural attractions, the way in which ecotourism is operated and marketed and the way in which local people are involved in the process of developing ecolodges. Ecolodges, therefore, enhance the economic value of natural resources and cultural experiences.

The ecolodge facililty

Typically, an ecolodge would be a small-scale facility that blends in with its surroundings, offering visitors an environmental experience of the natural world around them. With a design that respects the environment and is in harmony with the landscape and cultural setting of the area, an ecolodge is constructed using natural and locally produced building materials. It ideally relies on solar or alternative energies, recycles the waste and wastewater it generates, serves locally grown and produced foods and usually donates part of its profit to local conservation efforts. It is locally owned and operated and provides visitors with some form of environmental education, in order to help enrich their understanding of planet Earth thus helping to preserve the world’s natural habitat and cultural heritage and benefiting local inhabitants.

Ecolodge features and ecolodging

An ecolodge can be understood in terms of six main features: location and resource protection; natural and cultural attractions; facilities; capacity; activities; and general atmosphere. Each feature is briefly described below :

Location and resource protection - protecting the ecolodge operational environment is critical to its successful performance. Such protection rests ultimately in the hands of government officials and will determine long-term investment security, tourist appreciation and destination image. There are several options for protection. These include nature reserves, or pockets of land on the fringes of national parks. Within these natural environments, what is important for an ecolodge’s general atmosphere is the sense of “isolation” and “wilderness” and of being away from the impact of civilization.

Natural and cultural attractions - the key to the success of an ecolodge is an environment of outstanding natural beauty. Cultural attractions, however, are also important. Incorporating local cultural resources in personnel, activity interpretation programs and in the design and decoration of an ecolodge providing it with an authentic local flavor.

Facilities - an ecolodge is recognized by distinct design features that are intended primarily to blend in with the natural environment. Sustainable site design requires holistic, ecologically based strategies to create projects that do not alter existing site systems, such as plant and animal communities, soils and hydrology -- but instead restore these systems if required. Aesthetically, the ecolodge should be integrated with the natural surroundings and should incorporate cultural characteristics whenever appropriate.

Capacity - a survey of existing ecolodges worldwide reveals that, typically, the capacity of an ecolodge is between 25 and 100 guests. The key to deciding the optimum for any given ecolodge, however, lies in the environmental impact assessment undertaken for each site, as well as the natural setting in which the site exists and type of atmosphere that the investor wishes to create for the ecolodge and its clients.

Activities - these are usually based on sensory experience with the natural and cultural resources of the area to enhance the visitor’s appreciation of the resources and lead to greater support for their preservation. Examples include trail hiking, nature interpretation, bird watching, river trips, desert excursions, mountain biking, horse and camel riding. Facility-based activities, such as swimming pools and tennis courts, are rarely available. The “nature” experience that ecotourists gain is a combination of both intellectual and physical challenges that together produce a dynamic and unforgettable experience.

General Atmosphere - ecolodges are characterized by their friendly, relaxed, flexible and educational environment. The design of an ecolodge and the activities provided within the facility encourage close interaction with the natural environment. This gives the visitor a feeling of being somewhere special, and imparts a "sense of place" and a "sense of belonging". However, there are no blueprints for success. Each ecolodge must enjoy an atmosphere that is appropriate to the site’s specific setting. It is this atmosphere that is a key ingredient in distinguishing ecolodges from traditional lodges or tourist facilities. Although both traditional lodges and tourist facilities and ecolodges need to be marketed and seek out profit maximization, they are different in several respects. The major distinction between them is that in a traditional tourist facility, the main attractions, facilities and activities are artificial in character. In an ecolodge, on the other hand, the main attractions and activities are directly related to the surrounding environment.

Enjoy your ecolodge experience in Rosa's Ecolodge, Java, Sekonyer, Cree Village and Daintree.

access to ecolodges for ecotourists